Klikovac: Cyberspace is today an equally important security environment as land, sea and air

Cyberspace is no longer just a technical challenge, it is today an equally important security environment as land, sea and air, announced the Chief of Staff of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro, Colonel Mitar Klikovac.

The Ministry of Defense announced that Klikovac today opened the international and interdepartmental cyber exercise "Cyber ​​Soko 25" at the "Knjaz Danilo" military airport.

Klikovac emphasized that "Cyber ​​Soko 25" represents a concrete response to growing challenges in the digital domain.

He emphasized that the exercise brings together people from different institutions and countries because only through joint action can effective defense against sophisticated threats be built.

"We are proud that Montenegro, as a member of NATO, is developing capacities in accordance with Alliance standards and actively contributing to global cybersecurity. The role of the Army in this domain is clear - readiness, knowledge and partnership are the basis of every successful response," Klikovac emphasized.

The statement states that the exercise is organized by the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Montenegro, with the participation of cyber experts from North Macedonia and the National Guard of the US states of Maine and Vermont, as well as experts from other national institutions, with the support of the European Union (EU), with the aim of strengthening collective resilience to cyber threats.

"During the exercise, participants will work on simulations of complex cyber incidents, testing protection procedures and improving interdepartmental and international coordination. 'Cyber ​​Soko 25' will last until June 6, and a one-day interdepartmental simulation of responses to cyber threats in the form of a 'table-top' exercise in Podgorica is also planned," the statement reads.

The Ministry of Defense said that the exercise is part of the large-scale maneuvers "Defender Europe 25", one of the most significant military maneuvers led by the US Armed Forces in Europe.

"They bring together 25.000 soldiers from 30 countries, confirming NATO's readiness to respond to security challenges in all domains," the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.