International conference on the topic "Current aspects of the cooperation between EU Member States NSAs in the field of personnel security”

Posted on 15 May 2018 15:25:00

On May 10th 2018 the State Commission on Information Security (SCIS) organized international conference on the topic "Current aspects of the cooperation between EU Member States NSAs in the field of personnel security”. The Conference was held under the auspices of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of EU. The Conference was attended by heads and experts from the National Security Authorities of EU Members States, representatives of the security directorates of EU institutions and guests from the competent departments in the Republic of Bulgaria. 

The Conference has put an accent on current practical aspects topics and particularly:
- vetting procedure of individuals who hold citizenship of EU Member State and reside for long/permanently on the territory of another EU Member State;
- vetting procedure of individuals, who hold citizenship of other states outside EU and reside for long/permanently on the territory of an EU Member State;
- vetting procedure of individuals with dual citizenship, including citizens of states outside EU;
- exercising ongoing/subsequent control over individuals of the abovementioned categories who have been issued security clearances/certificates and have access to classified information, including EU classified information, in the frames of their legislation, practical possibilities and established good practices in cooperation.

By carrying out the Conference SCIS as National Security Authority of the Republic of Bulgaria continues with the already established tradition for close cooperation between the authorities of EU Member States with functions on the protection of classified information and the security directorates of EU institutions.

Such forums are appreciated as place for bringing closer the NSAs and for establishing close personal contacts. Sharing experience and good practices are of great importance for the elaboration of the protection of classified information as it is being of significant importance for the national security as well as for the security of the European area.

Achieving high security level is an issue within everyone’s responsibility. The efficiency of the protection is achieved through everyone’s efforts as part of one system. Security is shared responsibility and only with joint efforts the opportunities of the regulatory and the practical system for protection can be used.