Today, April 29, 2024, marked a pivotal moment for cybersecurity in the Republic of Moldova as the first batch of IT and cyber equipment was donated to the “Cybercor” National Institute of Cybersecurity Innovations, established at the Technical University of Moldova. This donation, facilitated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Future Technologies Project and funded by USAID, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, represents a major step towards enhancing the country’s cybersecurity capabilities and preparing a skilled workforce in this field.
“This generous equipment donation presents a vital opportunity to strengthen our cyber infrastructure, develop expertise, and ensure the protection of our data and citizens. We are committed to using these resources efficiently and responsibly to advance research, education, and cybersecurity practices,” said Viorel Bostan, Ph.D., Rector of the Technical University of Moldova. Mr. Bostan expressed sincere gratitude to USAID, Sweden, and the UK for their unwavering support and facilitation of this significant milestone. Thanks were extended to all involved, from decision-makers and partners to their enthusiastic and dedicated team members, for their hard work and effort.
The event, attended by high-ranking officials such as Prime Minister of Moldova Dorin Recean, USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman, Deputy Prime Minister Dumitru Alaiba, US Ambassador to Moldova Kent Logsdon, highlights the critical importance of cybersecurity in today’s context. With the rise in digital threats, the need to protect Moldova’s critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and citizens has never been more urgent.
USAID’s donation includes computers, servers, data processing centers, network equipment, and other essential components for Cybercor’s efficient operation. In addition to IT equipment, USAID will also provide financial assistance for training Cybercor staff and developing academic programs in cybersecurity.
Dinu Țurcanu, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Vice-Rector for Digitalization at UTM, as well as strategic coordinator of the “Cybercor” National Institute of Cybersecurity Innovations, thanked the strategic partners for their crucial contribution to revolutionizing Moldova’s approach to cybersecurity. Mr. Țurcanu emphasized that the Technical University of Moldova is proud to be a part of this initiative and to host Cybercor. The Vice-Rector noted that Cybercor will focus on two key elements: a rigorous academic program and state-of-the-art practical laboratories, set to launch in the fall of 2024. This initiative is expected to positively impact around 5,000 UTM students, significantly boosting Moldova’s resilience against cyber threats.
“The Future of Jobs 2023” report estimates a global shortage of 3.4 million cybersecurity experts needed to meet current economic demands effectively. Addressing this gap and strengthening cybersecurity capabilities are essential for Moldova’s immediate resilience and security, especially given the ongoing war in Ukraine and the challenges of the digital age.
Cybercor is set to officially launch by the end of 2024, as a result of collaboration between UTM, the Government of Moldova, the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, and the Future Technologies Project, funded by USAID, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The institute also benefits from the support of leading cybersecurity companies like Google, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, and Cisco.
USAID’s donation and the launch of Cybercor represent a substantial advancement in improving Moldova’s cybersecurity and preparing the country to tackle the digital challenges of the modern world. With a total investment of USD 1.3 million—USD 600,000 for IT equipment and USD 700,000 for essential infrastructure—this initiative showcases the strong commitment of international partners to support Moldova in building a safe and prosperous digital society.
