A Symposium on Challenges and Threats in Cybersecurity Held

The International Symposium ‘Challenges and Threats in Cybersecurity’ was held on 17 May 2023 in the premises of the Academy of Science and Arts of the Republic of Srpska.

The symposium was organized by the University of Banja Luka and the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, in collaboration with the Academy of Science and Arts of the Republic of Srpska, at which the plenary lecture was held by Prof. Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo, followed by discussions and presentations by other participants.

Rector of the University of Banja Luka Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, said that this is just one of the symposiums organized by our university, and he stated that cybersecurity is an important issue that today and in the next few days will be discussed by world-renowned experts.

“In the last few months, we have been organizing multidisciplinary seminars. This is a symposium dedicated to cybersecurity. I am sure that it will help and benefit our teachers and professors significantly“, the rector emphasized.

Minister for Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of the Republic of Srpska, Asst. Prof. Željko Budimir, PhD, stated that cybersecurity is an important issue that carries numerous challenges, especially in times of turbulence on the geopolitical scene.

”Such conferences are also important in an academic sense, to hear experts from this field. It is important to note that the Republic of Srpska is in the process of digital transformation, and the issue of security is becoming crucial", Budimir said.

Professor Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo emphasizes that security also depends on the availability of technology, the social aspect and the behavior of the individual, and added that a lot of research is needed before starting solving the problem cybersecurity in the best possible way.

"We all have smart devices, phones and watches that contain certain data about us, and just imagine what would happen if other people came in possession of that data. Someone can find out about your movements, who you have been talking to. There is no full security. We can only adopt certain habits and recommendations“, Prof. Choo said.

One of the lecturers at the symposium, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Banja Luka Dragan Korać, PhD, emphasized the importance of security on the Internet, especially when it comes to the use of mobile devices, because it has exceeded its basic purpose.

"As a pocket computer, it carries with it challenges and threats. We cannot protect ourselves completely, but there are recommendations that we can adopt and be safe and protected“, Korać said.

The symposium was also attended by President of the Academy of Science and Arts of the Republic of Srpska Rajko Kuzmanović, Vice-Rector for International and Interuniversity Cooperation of the University of Banja Luka Prof. Milica Balaban, PhD, deans and vice-deans of the University of Banja Luka members, members of the Academy of Science and Arts, and representatives of companies and institutions.