Together on cybersecurity
Silesian University of Technology will co-create the Local Cybersecurity Strategy - the University signed a letter of intent with the City of Gliwice and the Silesian Metropolitan Network. The event took place during the CyberŚląskie conference, which aimed to draw attention to the role of local governments in building a coherent cybersecurity system for Poland.
The letter of intent concerning the cooperation of the Silesian University of Technology and the City of Gliwice in the creation of a cybersecurity strategy was signed by Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, the President of Gliwice, Agnieszka Olbrycht-Banach, the President of the Management Board of Silesian Metropolitan Network Sp. z o.o. and Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
“We agree that together we can develop an optimal solution that will be the city’s cybersecurity strategy, and there are no better solutions than when we join forces – in this case administration with the scientific potential of the Silesian University of Technology. I think that the results of these works will have a much wider impact outside of Gliwice, but also outside the region” – said Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, President of Gliwice.
– “The safety of the city and its inhabitants, its infrastructure, is also the security of the Silesian University of Technology and it is so from all angles. Silesian University of Technology is part of the city, students, employees live here, we conduct our activities here and it is extremely important that we undertake joint initiatives with the city regarding cybersecurity. We have to implement similar procedures, working together on their development, using also excellent city experts, we will overcome various types of difficulties together “– added Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
The CyberŚląskie Conference - Cybersecurity in the local government gathered representatives of the administration, scientists, representatives of companies and institutions related to cybersecurity, experts from the industry. Among other things, the requirements imposed on public administration by the NIS2 Directive, and the National Cybersecurity System Act were discussed.
– “We have a range of experts who are to help local government officials, but also university representatives, how to raise the level of cybersecurity, i.e. how to secure data and achieve continuity of operations. This conference is aimed at helping in the selection of organizational measures, finding financial resources and technical solutions in the implementation of these solutions” – explained Dr Eng. Jarosław Homa from the Centre for Cybersecurity at the Silesian University of Technology.
“Today Poland is on the front line, we are dealing with a hybrid war, NASK, Scientific and Academic Computer Network keeps records of security incidents and this number is constantly growing,” said Dr Michał Gramatyka, Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs, fully supporting the initiative of cooperation between the City and the University. No company or organization can defend itself. It is best when you join forces, and when the local government joins forces with such a renowned university as the Silesian University of Technology, it gives security certainty, and I hope that such agreements will be concluded throughout Poland.
The speakers also drew attention to the need for education in the field of cybersecurity.
“Cybersecurity is increasingly challenging because our resources are increasingly digitized and therefore vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The weakest link in this system is the human being. That is why education in this area is so important “– said Dr Hab Eng. Paweł Kasprowski, Prof. SUT, from the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science of the Silesian University of Technology, representing the CYBER SCIENCE Silesian Centre for Legal Engineering, Technology and Digital Competence during the conference. “We distinguish between several levels of education – the basic one that all users of electronic devices should go through, i.e. the so-called cyber hygiene, cybersecurity education at the workplace, cybersecurity management, risk analysis and, of course, also technical aspects” - added Prof. Kasprowski.
During the CyberŚląskie conference, participants of the Capture the Flag competition addressed to people who are interested in cybersecurity, code breaking and who tested their skills in real challenges, were awarded.
