NCSI :: North Macedonia

60. North Macedonia 55.84

60th	National Cyber Security Index
38th	Global Cybersecurity Index
69th	ICT Development Index
64th	Networked Readiness Index

Population		2.1million
Area (km2)		25.7thousand
GDP per capita ($)		16.0thousand

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

NCSI Update		Data source
25 Feb 2021		Government officials
13 Jul 2020		Public data collection
11 Sep 2018		Public data collection

Version 25 Feb 2021

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

1. Cyber security policy development 4/7 57%

4
7 57%
- 1.1. Cyber security policy unit 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity (ministry or equivalent) has a specialised official or unit responsible for national cyber security policy development.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 1.2. Cyber security policy coordination format 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has a committee, council, working group, etc. for national-level cyber security policy coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.slvesnik.com.mk/Issues/442b9e3493db49efab5dd428d98e1173.pdf
  
  Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia, no. 27 of 8 October 2019: Decree for establishment of the National Cyber Security Council (Одлука за формирање на национа-лен совет за сајбер безбедност) (page 10)
- 1.3. Cyber security strategy 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established a national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document
  
  Evidence
  
  https://mioa.gov.mk/sites/default/files/pbl_files/documents/strategies/cyber_security_strategy_macedonia_2018-2022_-_eng.pdf
  
  Republic of North Macedonia: National Cyber Security Strategy 2018 - 2022
- 1.4. Cyber security strategy implementation plan 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established an implementation plan to the national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document or its enforcement act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://mioa.gov.mk/sites/default/files/pbl_files/documents/strategies/ap_cybersec_v1.13_eng.pdf
  
  Republic of North Macedonia: National Cyber Security Action Plan 2018-2022
2. Cyber threat analysis and information 2/5 40%

2
5 40%
- 2.1. Cyber threats analysis unit 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity has a national-level unit that is specialised in national strategic cyber threat situation analysis.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 2.2. Public cyber threat reports are published annually 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The public part of the national cyber threat situation analysis is published at least once a year.
  Accepted references
  Official public report
  
  Evidence
  
  https://mkd-cirt.mk/dokumenti/
  
  The National Center for Computer Incidents Response (MKD-CIRT) website publishes yearly reports.
  
  2019 report available at: https://mkd-cirt.mk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Informacija-od-izveshtaj-MKD-CIRT-2019.pdf
- 2.3. Cyber safety and security website 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public authorities provide at least one cyber safety and security website for cyber security and ICT professionals, and regular users.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  https://mkd-cirt.mk/category/soveti/
  
  The National Center for Computer Incidents Response (MKD-CIRT) website has a specilised part that offers cybersecurity advice for businesses, cyber security and ICT professionals, as well as regular users.
3. Education and professional development 5/9 56%

5
9 56%
- 3.1. Cyber safety competencies in primary or secondary education 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Primary or secondary education curricula include cyber safety / computer safety competences.
  Accepted references
  Official curriculum or official report
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.bro.gov.mk
  
  The curriculum for Computing and Basics of Programming in the third, fourth, fifth and sixt grade in primary education incorporates the subject Living Online (ОНЛАЈН ЖИВЕЕЊЕ), that includes content on Safe Internet Communication (Безбедносни прашања во однос на Интернет Комуникацијата) and Code of Online Conduct (Правила на однесување на Интернет).
  
  https://www.bro.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nastavna_programa-Rabota_so_kompjuter_i_osnovi_na_programiranjeto-III_odd-mkd.pdf, for third grade, page 9
  
  https://www.bro.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nastavna_programa-Rabota_so_kompjuter_i_osnovi_na_programiranjeto-IV_odd-mkd.pdf, for fourth grade, page 12
  
  https://www.bro.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nastavna_programa-Rabota_so_kompjuter_i_osnovi_na_programiranjeto-V_odd-mkd.pdf, for fifth grade, page 14
  
  https://www.bro.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Nastavna_programa-Informatika-VI_odd.pdf, for sixt grade, page 18
  
  The curriculum for Informatics in the seventh grade in primary education incorporates the subject Living Online (ОНЛАЈН ЖИВЕЕЊЕ), that includes content on Digital footprint (Дигитален Отпечаток) .
  
  https://www.bro.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Nastavna_programa-Informatika-VII_odd.pdf, for seventh grade, page 14
  
  The curriculum for Informatics in the first year of secondary education, incorporates the subject Computer Netwoks and Internet, that includes content on Theorethical aspects of social networks and issues with privacy and personal data protection
  
  https://www.bro.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nastavna_programa-Informatika-I_SSO4-mkd.pdf, for first year, page 16
  
  The curriculum for Informatics for the second year of secondary education incorporates the subject Living Online (ОНЛАЈН ЖИВЕЕЊЕ), that includes content on Digital footprint, Fake news and Cyber bullying https://www.bro.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Nastavna_programa-Informatika-II-SSO4-eksperimentalna.pdf, for second year, page 19 and 20
- 3.2. Bachelor’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Bachelor’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.finki.ukim.mk/mk/content/%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82-%D0%BC%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B6%D0%B8-%D0%B8-%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82
  
  Bachelor Degree in Internet, Networks and Security
  
  Bachelor Degree in Internet, Networks and Security
- 3.3. Master’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Master’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.ma.edu.mk/?page_id=189
  
  Cyber security and digital forensics - Scientific studies (master's degree) - preparation for scientific-research activity in a certain area and processing of the modern aspects of that area (STUDIES IN CYCLE II)
  
  https://www.finki.ukim.mk/mk/content/безбедност-криптографија-и-кодирање-311
  
  Security, cryptography and coding (1 and 2 years master program)
- 3.4. PhD level cyber security programme 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at PhD or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
- 3.5. Cyber security professional association 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a professional association of cyber/electronic information security specialists, managers or auditors.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
4. Contribution to global cyber security 2/6 33%

2
6 33%
- 4.1. Convention on Cybercrime 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has ratified the Convention on Cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website of the convention
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/treaty/185/signatures
- 4.2. Representation in international cooperation formats 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government is regularly represented in a cooperation format that is dedicated to international cyber security (e.g. FIRST).
  Accepted references
  Official website of the cooperation format
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.trusted-introducer.org/directory/teams/mkd-cirt.html
  
  MKD-CIRT is accredited member in TF-CSIRT Trusted Introducer.MKD-CIRT is also participating in the FIRST fellowship program, as a step to full FIRST membership
- 4.3. International cyber security organisation hosted by the country 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A regional or international cyber security organisation is hosted by the country.
  Accepted references
  Organisation’s official website
  
  Evidence
- 4.4. Cyber security capacity building for other countries 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has (co-)financed or (co-)organised at least one capacity building project for another country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Official website or project document
  
  Evidence

BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

5. Protection of digital services 1/5 20%

1
5 20%
- 5.1. Cyber security responsibility for digital service providers 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to legislation, digital service providers (except micro and small enterprises): (1) must manage cyber/ICT risks or (2) must implement established cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 5.2. Cyber security standard for the public sector 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public sector digital service providers must implement (1) cyber/ICT security requirements (defined by legislation) or (2) a widely recognised security standard.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://mioa.gov.mk/sites/default/files/pbl_files/documents/legislation/zakon_za_elektronsko_upravuvanje_i_elektronski_uslugi_0.pdf
  
  Articles 16 and 32 of the Law on Electronic Administration and Electronic Services
- 5.3. Competent supervisory authority 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise public and private digital service providers regarding the implementation of cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
6. Protection of essential services 0/6 0%

0
6 0%
- 6.1. Operators of essential services are identified 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act that allows to identify operators of essential services.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 6.2. Cyber security requirements for operators of essential services 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to the legislation, operators of essential services must manage cyber/ICT risks.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 6.3. Competent supervisory authority 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise operators of essential services, regarding cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 6.4. Regular monitoring of security measures 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Operators of essential services must regularly (at least once every 3 years) provide evidence of the effective implementation of cyber/information security policies (e.g. audit result, documentation, specific report).
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
7. E-identification and trust services 8/9 89%

8
9 89%
- 7.1. Unique persistent identifier 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government provides a unique persistent identifier to all citizens, residents, and legal entities. For example, the identifier remains the same after document expiration and name change.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.uvmk.gov.mk/files/zakoni/Maticen_broj_na_graganinot_92.pdf
  
  Law on the Unique Master Citizen Number
- 7.2. Requirements for cryptosystems 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Requirements for cryptosystems in the field of trust services are regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.3. Electronic identification 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic identification is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://trusteid.mioa.gov.mk/regulativa/zakoni/
  
  Chapter V: Electronic signature and electronic seal, of the Law on Electronic Documents, Electronic Identification and Trust Services (harmonized with eIDAS)
- 7.4. Electronic signature 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  E-signature is regulated
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://trusteid.mioa.gov.mk/regulativa/zakoni/
  
  Chapter V: Electronic signature and electronic seal, of the Law on Electronic Documents, Electronic Identification and Trust Services (harmonized with eIDAS)
- 7.5. Timestamping 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Timestamping is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://trusteid.mioa.gov.mk/regulativa/zakoni/
  
  Electronic time stamp (articles 51 and 52), of the Law on Electronic Documents, Electronic Identification and Trust Services (harmonized with eIDAS)
- 7.6. Electronic registered delivery service 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic registered delivery service between state entities, citizens and private sector entities is regulated. The service provides legally binding data exchange and guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of information.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://trusteid.mioa.gov.mk/regulativa/zakoni/
  
  Electronic registered delivery service (articles 53 and 54), of the Law on Electronic Documents, Electronic Identification and Trust Services (harmonized with eIDAS)
- 7.7. Competent supervisory authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an authority responsible for the supervision of qualified trust service providers.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://trusteid.mioa.gov.mk/regulativa/zakoni/
  
  Chapter VII: Supervision (Articles 65 and 66), of the Law on Electronic Documents, Electronic Identification and Trust Services (harmonized with eIDAS)
  
  The Ministry of Information Society and Administration is competent authority https://mioa.gov.mk/
8. Protection of personal data 4/4 100%

4
4 100%
- 8.1. Personal data protection legislation 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://dzlp.mk/sites/default/files/u4/zakon_za_zastita_na_licnite_podatoci.pdf
  
  Law on personal data protection (2020), harmonized with GDPR
- 8.2. Personal data protection authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an independent public supervisory authority that is responsible for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://dzlp.mk/
  
  Personal Data Protection Agency, competencies defined in Law on personal data protection, Articles 64, 65 and 66

INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

9. Cyber incidents response 5/6 83%

5
6 83%
- 9.1. Cyber incidents response unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a unit (CSIRT, CERT, CIRT, etc.) that is specialised in national-level cyber incident detection and response.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://mkd-cirt.mk/?lang=en
  
  National Center for Computer Incident Response (MKD-CIRT), according to the Article 26-a of the Law on electronic communications
- 9.2. Reporting responsibility 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Digital service providers and operators of essential services have an obligation to notify appointed government authorities of cyber security incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 9.3. Single point of contact for international coordination 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated a single point of contact for international cyber security coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://mkd-cirt.mk/?lang=en
  
  "The official national point of contact and coordination in dealing with security incidents"
10. Cyber crisis management 3/5 60%

3
5 60%
- 10.1. Cyber crisis management plan 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has established a crisis management plan for large-scale cyber incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 10.2. National-level cyber crisis management exercise 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has conducted a national-level cyber crisis management exercise or a crisis management exercise with a cyber component in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://mioa.gov.mk/?q=mk/node/3214
  
  Third National Excercise was Organised in December 2020. The link to the announcement of the technical training that was part of the excercise.
  
  The link to the press release of the Minister of information Society and Administration, for the opening session of the closing event.
  
  https://mkd-cirt.mk/rabotilnica-za-koordinacija-i-komunikacija-pri-odgovor-na-incidenti-za-kompjuterska-bezbednost-15-17-oktomvri-2019/
  
  The second annual exercise for coordination of response to cyber-incidents at the national level, held on October 16, 2019 was part of the workshop.
- 10.3. Participation in international cyber crisis exercises 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's team has participated in an international cyber crisis management exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Regional-Presence/Europe/Documents/Events/2020/RDF/RDF-2020%20-%20North%20Macedonia%20EUR4.pdf
  
  MKD-CIRT actively participated in the ITU Cyber Drill for Europe Region 2019 in Romania
- 10.4. Operational support of volunteers in cyber crises 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The procedures for using volunteers in the field of cyber security are established by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
11. Fight against cybercrime 9/9 100%

9
9 100%
- 11.1. Cybercrimes are criminalised 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Cybercrimes are defined by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://unctad.org/en/Pages/DTL/STI_and_ICTs/ICT4D-Legislation/CountryDetail.aspx?country=mk
  
  https://www.coe.int/en/web/octopus/-/-the-former-yugoslav-republic-of-macedonia-?redirect=https://www.coe.int/en/web/octopus/countries?p_p_id=101_INSTANCE_ldw5HitmFR9f&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-3&p_p_col_count=3
- 11.2. Cybercrime unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of combatting cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://mio.gov.mk/sites/default/files/pbl_files/documents/reports/cmm_fyrom_report_final_13_august2018_2.pdf
  
  Cybercrime and Digital Forensics Sector, Ministry of Interior.
  
  Page 59, paragraph 4: "Currently, the Cybercrime and Digital Forensic Department within the MoI is the only unit in the country that has the capacity to investigate cybercrime cases (e.g. mobile and computer forensics)."
- 11.3. Digital forensics unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of digital forensics.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://mio.gov.mk/sites/default/files/pbl_files/documents/reports/cmm_fyrom_report_final_13_august2018_2.pdf
  
  Cybercrime and Digital Forensics Sector, Ministry of Interior.
  
  Page 59, paragraph 4: "Currently, the Cybercrime and Digital Forensic Department within the MoI is the only unit in the country that has the capacity to investigate cybercrime cases."
  
  http://www.mvr.gov.mk/Upload/Documents/organogram_OKT_mkd.pdf
  
  Largest blue box: "Department of Criminalistics: examinations of photo, video, audio and digital data"
- 11.4. 24/7 contact point for international cybercrime 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated an international 24/7 contact point for cybercrimes.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://rm.coe.int/16804b3493
  
  see page 10
12. Military cyber operations 0/6 0%

0
6 0%
- 12.1. Cyber operations unit 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have a unit (cyber command, etc.) that is specialised in planning and conducting cyber operations.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 12.2. Cyber operations exercise 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have conducted a cyber operations exercise or an exercise with a cyber operations component in the country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
- 12.3. Participation in international cyber exercises 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's military team has participated in an international cyber operations exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence

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The information provided on the NCSI website is based on publicly available evidence materials. The appearance in the index and subsequent ranking is commensurate to the existence and public availability of such information. The NCSI links to third party websites and information. The NCSI and eGA are not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of third party website information.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Solza Kovachevska
Ministry of Information Society and Administration

60. North Macedonia 55.84

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

Version 25 Feb 2021 Choose a version 25 Feb 2021 13 Jul 2020 11 Sep 2018

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

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Version 25 Feb 2021