site.btaAgreement with the US Trade and Development Agency Does Not Involve Provision of Data, e-Government Minister Mundrov Tells Parliament

"The agreement does not provide for the provision of data from information systems by Bulgarian administrative authorities," caretaker Minister of e-Government Valentin Mundrov said here in Parliament on Friday, commenting the agreement on technical assistance signed by Information Services and the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

The State-owned Information Services is the National System Integrator of the Republic of Bulgaria and a trusted partner to the public administration. The company executes key projects of strategic importance for Bulgaria and is a leader in the development, implementation and maintenance of new technology solutions for central and local administration.

The e-Government Ministry is to receive only technical assistance, including training and consulting services, Mundrov said.

During Friday's question time in Parliament, Minister Mundrov responded to a parliamentary question asked by Vazrazhdane MP Angel Slavchev related to the agreement signed on December 13, 2024 between the Bulgarian national systems integrator and USTDA. "How will the security of data be guaranteed, given that third countries, outside the EU, will have access to it?", Slavchev asked. 

In his response, Minister Mundrov explained that the support to his Ministry will be achieved through the creation of a comprehensive architectural framework and guidelines for the implementation of a national cybersecurity system for administrative bodies. Measures for improvement and optimisation will be based on best practices in the field of cybersecurity, the caretaker Minister said. He also assured that there is full implementation of European regulations and standards in this area.

Mundrov recalled that there are proposals for amendments to the Cybersecurity Act and expressed hope that the current 51st National Assembly will discuss and vote on them.