14 October 2022, the BiH Ministry of Defense organized a ceremony (in a hybrid format) marking the formal launch of the online cyber course developed by the NATO Cyber Center of Excellence, Tallinn. The application and delivery of this course in the training centers of the AFBiH Training and Doctrine Command was authorized in the presence of BiH Minister of Defense Sifet Podžić, Deputy Minister Mirko Okolić and Commander NATO HQ Sarajevo BG Pamela McGaha. Minister Podžić commended the efforts of those in charge in the MoD and AFBiH, who have recognized, initiated, and finalized the implementation of this activity by taking over this capability from BiH partners in NATO HQ Brussels, NATO Center of Excellence Tallinn, NATO HQ Sarajevo and NATO DEEP Programme who all take credit for the implementation of this course in the BiH defense institutions. He specifically underlined the importance of cyber security in light of recent developments on the international scene, adding that by implementing this project, cyber security in the MoD and AFBiH will undoubtedly be raised to a higher level The Minister also commended the MoD Sector for Command, Control and Communications, Computers and Information Management (C4IM) led by Assistant Minister Adnan Kulovac, adding that without his engagement, hard work and coordination throughout this process, it would not be possible to launch such an important course. Brigadier General McGaha also spoke about the importance of the course and its application in the MoD and AFBiH, saying that “NATO takes cyber defense so seriously that it is seen as part of the Alliance’s core task of collective defense. Helping Bosnia and Herzegovina to prevent, monitor, detect, defend and recover from malicious activity is critical to keep citizens safe”. Pavel Anastasov, representative of NATO HQ Brussels, CDR Jacob Galbreath, representative of the NATO CoE and Commander AFBiH TRADOC Col Slaven Blavicki addressed the ceremony, in which the NATO DEEP eAcademy Director – Piotr Gawliczek – also participated. At the end of the ceremony, Assistance Minister Kulovac thanked everyone who had contributed to the implementation of the project, particularly the C4IM staff, and the Personnel Management Sector, led by Assistant Minister Sead Muratović, whose sector partnered with C4IM in the implementation of this project.
It was Col Blavicki who had officially launched the course. This adapted cyber course is available on the MoD and AFBiH online platform. It will be mandatory and recommended for all personnel in the defense system who have access to IT network platforms.
(Note – this post is based on the unofficial translation by NSHQ of the respective article published on the BiH MOD site)