Interview Jeffrey Bonvicin, after 32 years in the CIA, talks about the Romanian experts in cyber field

Jeffrey Bonvicin talked, in a large interview for MEDIAFAX and Defence and Security Monitor (DSM), about Romania’s role within NATO, the Defence budget and Alliance’s expectations.

“I do not believe we are in a transatlantic crisis now. I believe that we have a president that has put a little extra pressure on allies to make sure that they are doing everything that they have promised to do in the past, because this has been going on for years”, stated Bonvicin.

In terms of security, he stated: “I think Romania can be a leader in this field, I think Romania has great expertise and i think we need some of that, especially when it comes to technology, to moving forward. In the cyber area Romania is known for its cyber experts and we need more cyber assistants than ever, as we increase our weaponry, as we do more things in the world, and we see our adversaries using our technology and social media against us”.

We are presenting you the entire interview:

MEDIAFAX: There are growing concerns about US’s commitments in continuing to support Europe’s defence and the pressure over the European allies for military budget’s increase. Are we witnessing a transatlantic crisis?

Jeffrey Bonvicin: I do not believe we are in a transatlantic crisis now. I believe that we have a president that has put a little extra pressure on allies to make sure that they are doing everything that they have promised to do in the past, because this has been going on for years. 2% of the budget is not that much. I know Romania is very close and I am confident Romania will do this and that will put them in a better collaboration than in the states with less than 2%.

MEDIAFAX: Can Romania be an important player within the transatlantic security strategy?

Jeffrey Bonvicin: Even before I lived year, in 2009, I knew about the level of influence that Romania had in the region, the thing that it was willing to do with its partners including the United States, when other things went wrong in the world and the fact that it managed it, especially with the things going on in Moldova, and that it was a national priority. And I have seen that that continued with the base at the Black Sea, it continued with Deveselu and the anti-ballistic missile system. It is seen every day. And I am not even talking about the war zones where Romanian troops have gone and risked their lives. So, I think you are a key part of the whole strategic Alliance.

MEDIAFAX: What does NATO expect from Romania as a reliable alliance member in terms of security?

Jeffrey Bonvicin: A lot of people rely on the United States to give the cues. I think Romania can be a leader in this field, I think Romania has great expertise and it think we need some of that especially when it comes to technology, to moving forward. In the cyber area Romania is known for its cyber experts and we need more cyber assistants than ever, as we increase our weaponry, as we do more things in the world, and we see our adversaries using our technology and social media against us. We are going to need partners like Romania to make sure that we keep them in check and that we can remain strong.

Jeffrey Bonvicin has participated, on Tuesday, at the security conference organized by Defence and Security Monitor, part of MEDIAFAX Group.

Jeffrey Bonvicin is a Senior Advisor with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, based in the Washington, DC area. He began work at PNNL in October 2017, after completing a 32-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a Senior Intelligence Officer (SIS). At CIA, he focused on cyber, security, financial intelligence, counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation and counterintelligence issues. He served four tours abroad in the Europe/Eurasia region, in addition to worldwide travel.