President of the Republic’s speech at National Seminar on Cyber-security

“In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful,

Prayer and peace be upon His Messenger,

Prime Minister,

General of the Army, Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army,

Ministers,

Your Excellency the Ambassador,

Major Generals and Generals,

Honorable Officers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here with you at the opening of this important national seminar, which you have dedicated to one of the key areas of our national security, and which will focus on the “National Cybersecurity Strategy”. I praise your choice of theme: “For a Cyber-Resilient Algeria”.

This seminar, which provides a wider forum for the exchange of ideas and expertise, is a valuable opportunity to consider ways of developing the mastery of cyber-security in the field, through interaction and complementarity between experts and those responsible for sensitive IT systems in ministerial departments and state institutions.

It is also an opportunity to assess the national digital scene, as well as the current situation in the field of cyber-security at both national and international levels.

The definition of cyber threats and the implementation of effective control and detection mechanisms, as well as a state of readiness in the event of risk, are today’s main forward-looking requirements for ensuring the full security required for key facilities on a safe and permanent basis, as part of the national security framework in its political, military, economic and societal dimensions.

Such a move implies the development of our integrated national digital strategy, combining forward-looking and preventive aspects against cyber threats, system and data protection, the promotion of a digital citizen and patriotic culture, based on permanent awareness-raising, as well as strategic intelligence for all institutions.

In order to protect the national interest and ensure that our security and sovereignty prevail at all times, we encourage the development of international partnerships and cooperation agreements, given that cyberspace is a common zone with no geographical borders.

In this connection, I have instructed the members of the Government to carry out a survey of the computer systems of the State’s institutions, with a view to drawing up a global map to provide an estimate of their level of security.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Winning the challenge of cyber security is an undertaking that essentially relies on the development of human resources, with their experienced skills and awareness of the vitality of the missions assigned to them. We attach utmost importance to this goal as part of the State’s vision to achieve a qualitative leap in the management of public affairs, through the development of a studied national strategy for digitization.

This was our sovereign choice, driven by our collective awareness that the expected development momentum calls for good governance, improved institutional performance, the harnessing of potential, and the mobilization of resources. Digitization, which is the achievement that has always been at the heart of my interests, is not a purely technical operation; it is a deep-seated conviction that lies at the heart of the priorities for building the new Algeria.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the huge efforts and sacrifices made by the People’s National Army (ANP) the worthy heir to the National Liberation Army (ALN), a school of nationalism and the values of the Republic, which tirelessly defends the security of our beloved country, in all geopolitical contexts, including in cyberspace, thanks to nationalist men jealous of Algeria, who make the proactive national system of prevention and protection against cyber threats a bulwark for the protection of the State and its institutions.

I hereby announce the official opening of your seminar and wish you every success in your work.