On behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, good afternoon and welcome to this cyber security presentation and executive seminar with Cisco Systems. The Embassy is proud to support U.S. companies like Cisco, which deliver high-quality information-technology products to BiH businesses and government ministries. We are always looking for opportunities to connect American companies with firms in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such opportunities are good for both our countries’ economies. Events like today’s will, we hope, lead to diversifying and expanding the cyber-related options available here in BiH.
This is the fourth time the Embassy has hosted this important workshop for Cisco. I think this will be the most exciting event yet. In the next couple of hours, you will learn from Cisco about how to detect and protect against security threats, and how to use Cisco’s systems to tighten your security networks.
I am confident today’s event will be a productive discussion about what the U.S. has to offer in terms of cyber security protections – both at the policy level, and technically. First, let me briefly outline how we look at cyber security from the policy level. Cyber security is one of the U.S. government’s top priorities. We are deeply committed to addressing
this critical issue. We have developed an action plan, contained in the White House’s National Cyber Strategy, which was released in September 2018. This document emphasizes how the participation of the full spectrum of relevant stakeholders in the formulation of cyberspace policy is critical to economic growth both in the U.S. and abroad.
Our strategy for cyberspace guides our policy at the governmental level. It also focuses on the ways cyber threats affect businesses, universities, individuals, and non-governmental organizations. As you are all very well aware, safeguarding your sensitive data and financial information, your intellectual property, and your organization’s reputation is crucial to your ability to operate successfully. To that end, I encourage you to take advantage of the technology Cisco can offer to help you protect and strengthen your operations and secure your information technology. To face today’s cyber threats, businesses must take an approach that is proactive, including through long-term investment in security measures.
In closing, let me reiterate that, as always, the U.S. Embassy is your partner as you explore how U.S. technology can help your business to flourish, securely. I am very pleased we can host you today. I wish you
a productive meeting and it is my pleasure to now turn the floor over to our subject matter experts.
