Cybersecurity is essential for digital transition in the Azores, says Artur Lima - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, Artur Lima, chaired today the opening session of the event "Cybersecurity in the Public Business Fabric - Table Top Exercise" in Angra do Heroísmo. 

The event brought together representatives from regional entities involved in the operation of critical infrastructures and essential services in the Azores to further institutional cooperation, resilience and competence in cybersecurity.

The Vice-President of the Government highlighted the current context of "rapid technological transformation" with implications for "the Azores' position in the world, for competitiveness and economic diversification, for the guarantee of territorial cohesion, and for the security of Azorean business activity."

The Government responded to this "challenging intersection of public policy, geopolitics, technology and social and economic transformation with a strategic vision," he stressed.

Artur Lima mentioned the ongoing modernisation of the Regional Public Administration, highlighting the enhancement of security and redundancy in data processing in the Region, secured by the two existing data centres. He also highlighted the completion, next year, of the new system that will enable remote working in the Public Administration, Mobile.Gov, and the current implementation of the Administrative Modernisation Incentive System.

“While we are taking major steps forward in connectivity, infrastructures and administrative digitisation in the Azores, we are also continuously investing in cybersecurity. This is a fundamental aspect of safeguarding and enhancing the activity of the regional business community,” stated the government official. 

For the Vice-President of the Government, "the regional digital transition will not be effective without a true culture of cybersecurity."

In this regard, "the Regional Government of the Azores is making a clear and determined commitment to digital transition, side by side with the Azorean citizens, municipalities, companies and regional institutions," assured Artur Lima.

"We can only plan our future by ensuring that the ongoing digitisation process is a competitive asset rather than a vulnerability. If we want to be prepared for the challenges of the future, we need to invest in training," he stressed.

The Vice-President emphasised the importance of the archipelago's geostrategic position, noting that "the Azores remain fundamental to ensuring security in the world, but are also becoming a target, precisely due to the dizzying speed at which things are progressing."

This event allows us to "gather impressions and suggestions from those present, while also enhancing the preparation of the various entities represented," stated Artur Lima.