Digital transformation and cybersecurity, pillars of a sustainable energy system

The seminar “Digitalization of public administration – exchange of experiences, good practices and opportunities for cooperation with the Czech Republic” was held today in the Ceremonial Hall of the Government, organized by the Ministry of Digital Transformation. The event was attended by Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Bozhinovska, accompanied by information technology experts from the ministry she leads.

During the meeting, where institutions from Macedonia and the Czech Republic shared their experiences, emphasis was placed on the importance of digitalization in building a more efficient, more secure and more successful public administration. Improving services offered to both citizens and the business community was also discussed.

For the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, the digitalization process carries special weight. This is because modern energy systems are increasingly dependent on digital solutions, automation, smart grids and real-time information.

Minister Bozhinovska stressed that energy security nowadays goes beyond stable production and uninterrupted supply. It now also includes the protection of digital systems. According to her, as the level of digitalization of energy networks and infrastructure increases, protecting them from cyber risks becomes essential. For this reason, cybersecurity must be an inseparable component of the sector’s modernization.

As part of an accelerating energy transition, digitalization creates opportunities for better management of energy capacities, more effective monitoring of costs, improvement of the production process and a rapid response to possible outages.

However, the increase in digital connections also brings new risks. Precisely for this reason, the protection of critical energy infrastructure, the security of information systems and the resilience of energy networks against cyberattacks are becoming key elements of national security in the energy field.

Following these discussions, the seminar served as a platform to explore opportunities for further cooperation between Macedonia and the Czech Republic. Areas of interest include cybersecurity, the exchange of knowledge and successful experiences, as well as strengthening the capacities of institutions.