Lefkov: Macedonia Should Build a National Data Protection Center

VMRO-DPMNE MP Mile Lefkov said the state must guarantee the protection of data from all institutions. He recalled that during SDSM’s time in government, the Health Insurance Fund’s system was attacked, preventing citizens from exercising their rights.

At a press conference held today, Lefkov accused SDSM and Venko Filipche of continually opposing the development of the data center industry. According to him, this sector is part of the future and is expanding worldwide, while Filipche opposes it for reasons that, as Lefkov said, only he knows.

Lefkov said Filipche and Zoran Zaev, who he claimed still gives Filipche instructions on his work, should be reminded that Macedonia already has a data center in Prilep.

According to him, the facility in Prilep is not a primary center, but a secondary one. In the event of a potential cyberattack on an institution’s system, its data is stored at this backup center.

He stressed that each institution currently determines how it will store its own data.

For this reason, Lefkov said Macedonia needs a national, primary and central system for storing data from all institutions. He explained that the construction of such a national center is envisaged under the EU Reform Agenda, which provides funding and financial assistance, while Macedonia is responsible for building the national, primary and central data center.

The MP stressed that such a facility would serve to protect data belonging to state institutions from potential cyberattacks and guarantee its security.

Lefkov reiterated that this is precisely the solution SDSM opposes. He again cited as an example the attack on the Health Insurance Fund’s system during its time in government, when citizens were unable to receive maternity benefits, obtain reimbursements for medicines or exercise other similar rights.