The experience giving to the countries of West Balkan
In order to assist the countries of West Balkan in their effort to access the European Union and North Atlantic Alliance and to establish their democratic institutions,
Director of National Security Authority, Mr. František Blanárik, visited the Serbian Republic and the Republic of Macedonia on November 4 – 7, 2008. Mr. František Blanárik and Mrs. Lidija Kostovska, Director of Macedonian Directorate for the Protection of Classified Information – the main body of state administration for the protection of classified information, both have signed the bilateral international Agreement on the Mutual Protection of Classified Information.
Director of National Security Authority met with the Secretary of Ministry of Defense, Mr. Dušan Spasojevič, and Director of Security and Intelligence Agency, Mr. Saša Vukadinovič. The topic of their discussion was to provide Slovak experience in the field of classified information protection when accessing to EU and NATO, and the need of legislation necessary to fulfill the required standards of NATO and EU. Following this course, the both parties have agreed that the more intensive cooperation will continue after adopting new legislation and establishing Serbian National Security Authority responsible for the protection of classified information.
The official visit of Serbia and Macedonia reflects the priorities of the Slovak Foreign Policy with the emphasis to assist countries of West Balkan in their accession to the European Union and Euroatlantic security structures.
The Government has agreed on the Concept of encrypted protection
At its 118-th meeting, held on October 22, 2008, the Government of the Slovak Republic discussed and endorsed the Concept for The Encrypted Protection Of Information in the Slovak Republic for the period of 2009 – 2013. The proposes solutions for reaching the required security level of electronic communications; and it responses to the current challenges of today, such as the protection of cyberspace and information systems in the critical infrastructures. The document is connected with the previous Concept for the Period of 2004 – 2008 and it represents an ongoing continuation of National Security Authority in such an important area of information assurance. The Concept for the encrypted protection of information was presented by Director of National Security Authority, Mr. František Blanárik.
Meeting in Brussels
The autumn NATO Security Committee meeting was held on October 15, 2008, at NATO HQ in Brussels. The meeting was chaired by its chairman, Mr. Michael T. Evanoff. The meeting was held in two formats (26+2; 26). In the first one, NATO member states plus Albania and Croatia held the meeting. In the second one, only NATO member states held the meeting. Albania and Croatia presented its security systems for the protection of the classified information. Mr. M. T. Evanoff pointed out the activities of National Security Authority and the Slovak Republic was mentioned as an example of one of the best established systems for protection of the classified information. In this course, Mr. Evanoff recommended to non- NATO states that are participating within NATO activities and wish to join NATO as well as to NATO states to inspire with the Slovak model.
Meeting in Komárno
NSA Directors from Slovakia, Hungary, and Czech Republic met at the informal working meeting that took place on October 9, 2008, in Komárno, Slovakia. The subject of the discussion between Mr. Dušan Navrátil (CZECH), Mihály Zala (HU) and František Blanárik was the current security issues.
Official Visit from Bosnia and Herzegovina
From October 7 to October 10, 2008, an official visit from the Security and Intelligence Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliament took place at NSA of the Slovak Republic. The Committee deals with the issues of parliamentary oversight over the Security and Intelligence Service and National Security Authority, and under the law it is also responsible for parliamentary oversight in the field of protection of classified information. On October 7, 2008, director of Slovak NSA, Mr. František Blanárik, welcomed at NSA soil the members of the delegation, headed by its chairman, Mr. Mirko Okolić.
Agreement on Cooperation
National Security Authority and Academy of Police Corps in Bratislava have signed the Agreement on the Mutual Cooperation under which it will not be on cooperation and information providing only, but even on the mutual cooperation in the scientific-research, educational, informative, and publishing activities. The first activity is the course of top and middle management. Its mission is to get acquainted the participants with the major publications in the field of threats and risks. Schooling is organized in the premises of Academy in Bratislava in the form of daily teaching of 30 teaching hours extend. The course will be concluded with the final approval testing. After the completion of the course the participants will receive certificates.