A contract with Deloitte was ceremoniously signed today at the headquarters of the Agency for Identification Documents, Registers and Data Exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina (IDDEEA) in Banja Luka, officially launching the project to conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of a specialized cybersecurity department within IDDEEA.
The project is being implemented thanks to a grant from the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, which approved funding of up to €620,070 through the Fund for the Internationalization of Enterprises (FIEM).
Deloitte was selected by the Spanish authorities following an extensive application process; the project is funded directly by the Spanish side with the aim of creating future business opportunities for Spanish companies. IDDEEA is the project beneficiary and the institution where the planned activities will be carried out, while today’s contract signing marks the formal beginning of cooperation with the selected implementer. Through this initiative, Bosnia and Herzegovina—via IDDEEA—receives significant international expert and financial support to develop its own capacities in one of the most critical areas of modern digital infrastructure.
As part of the project, Deloitte will conduct a comprehensive feasibility study to analyze and define the legal, institutional, organizational, staffing, financial, and technical prerequisites for establishing a specialized Cybersecurity Department within IDDEEA. Particular focus will be placed on strengthening capabilities for the prevention, detection, and response to cyber incidents, managing security risks, protecting information systems, and developing a long-term, sustainable cybersecurity model.
The project is of particular importance given IDDEEA’s role in managing central registries and digital identity infrastructure, facilitating secure data exchange between institutions, and providing digital services to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through collaboration with Spanish experts and the transfer of international experience, IDDEEA will gain a professional foundation for the further development of its institutional and operational capacities, in line with modern European standards and best practices. The development of this study marks the first step toward a systemic and long-term sustainable strengthening of the Agency’s cybersecurity; its findings will serve as the basis for planning future development phases, necessary investments, organizational structure, and professional capacity building.
Confirmation of international confidence in IDDEEA
IDDEEA Director Prof. Dr. Almir Badnjević emphasized that this project represents a significant step in the Agency’s continued development, as well as a confirmation of international confidence in its institutional capabilities.
“I would like to thank the Government of the Kingdom of Spain for the trust placed in us and for the significant financial support provided to IDDEEA and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is particularly important to highlight that this involves grant funding through which the Spanish side directly finances the engagement of an international implementing partner, while our Agency gains knowledge, expert support, and a concrete foundation for developing its own cybersecurity capabilities.
Digital transformation cannot be sustainable without security and trust. The more public services we digitize, the greater our responsibility to ensure the protection of citizens’ data, the reliability of state registers, and the operational continuity of digital infrastructure. That is precisely why we view this project as a strategic investment in the long-term security of a digital Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
“Our goal is not merely to establish a new organizational unit, but to build lasting institutional capacities that will enable IDDEEA to remain a reliable driver of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s digital transformation in the future. Digital identity security, data protection, and the resilience of information systems are not just technical matters; they are the foundations of citizens’ trust in the institutions and services we provide. I am particularly pleased that international partners recognize the results IDDEEA is achieving and that our cooperation with the Kingdom of Spain is developing through concrete projects that will yield long-term benefits for the institutions and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” stated Badnjević.
The contract was signed by Prof. Dr. Almir Badnjević, Director of IDDEEA, and Pablo Martin Gonzalez, Partner and Representative of Deloitte Spain. The ceremony was attended by Her Excellency María Molina Álvarez de Toledo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Bosnia and Herzegovina; Damir Vukotić, Deloitte Regional Partner for Risk and Regulation; as well as other representatives from Deloitte Spain, Deloitte BiH, and IDDEEA.
Following the contract signing and media statements, the delegations visited IDDEEA’s Personalization Center, where they were introduced to the infrastructure and processes that constitute a vital part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s identification document system. The implementation of this project represents a continuation of IDDEEA’s international cooperation and a tangible contribution to developing a more secure, reliable, and resilient digital infrastructure for Bosnia and Herzegovina.