Bridging the Cyber Skills Gap: WB3C at the World Economic Forum

03.07.2024

Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre participated in the World Economic Forum (WEF) community members meeting in Geneva on 2-3 July, titled „Bridging the Cyber Skills Gap“, which brought together private and public sector leaders from around the world.

Our team from the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), represented by Tadej Rupel, Digital and Cyber Ambassador at MFEA Slovenia, and Vanja Madzgalj, Senior Project Manager at WB3C, contributed to discussions on developing actionable strategies to create, attract, recruit and retain cybersecurity talent. The meeting explored the ways of putting

Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework (https://lnkd.in/eZ9mFTyt) into motion, identifying barriers and setting future workstreams.

On Day 1, dynamic discussions among the group were prompted by key presentations on the Future Of Jobs Report 2023, highlighting the impact of technological advancements and green transition on the labor market, and ILO Perspectives on Employment and Skills, addressing challenges in skills development for cybersecurity roles.

On Day 2, discussions focused on the impact of AI on cybersecurity jobs and strategies for leveraging public-private partnerships (PPP) to build a sustainable talent pipeline. WB3C's team contributions included sharing our methodology for creating relevant training programs, leveraging partnerships, the role of diplomacy in fighting cybercrime, and best practices in cybersecurity education.

The WEF meeting was a significant step towards addressing the cybersecurity skills gap, and we look forward to implementing these strategies within the Western Balkans region and working in partnership with our global allies.

Other news and events

Cyber Training for Judges and Prosecutors

WB3C has successfully concluded a three-day training programme designed to strengthen the capacities of local judges and prosecutors in addressing cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime.

Delivered by WB3C’s in-house trainers, the programme provided participants with a solid foundation to better understand, manage and process complex digital cases.

The training was structured into four thematic blocks:

Typology of cybercrime
Digital evidence collection
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
Introduction to cryptocurrencies

This activity is part of WB3C’s ongoing efforts to support the judiciary in building the necessary knowledge and tools to respond to evolving cyber threats.

OSINT Training for Law Enforcement

Today, Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) launched a specialized training program designed to equip law enforcement professionals from the Western Balkans with practical skills in open-source intelligence (OSINT) and digital investigations. The training is being led by Brigadier Chief Cyril C. of the French National Police, WB3C's in-house trainer, whose extensive expertise ensures participants gain valuable insights grounded in real-world investigative experience.

The program combines theoretical learning with practical exercises, enhancing participants' ability to identify threats, gather digital evidence in lawful ways and support informed decision-making.

The training will address critical aspects of digital evidence preservation, security checks to prevent data leaks, and safe navigation of the darknet.

Additionally, participants will develop skills in data collection and metadata analysis to extract valuable insights from publicly available information.
This initiative is designed for English-speaking law enforcement officers, particularly those attending WB3C training for the first time, reinforcing their capacity to address emerging digital threats.

European People's Party Visit to WB3C

Yesterday, the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from the European People's Party, led by Minister of Energy and Mining, Admir Sahmanovic accompanied by State Secretary of the Ministry for Public Administration Dragisa Janjusevic and Aleksandar M. Andjic, Montenegro's National Coordinator for WB3C.

Director of WB3C, Gilles Schwoerer, along with Katarina Zajec, Minister Counsellor at the Slovenian Embassy in Podgorica, greeted the delegation. They provided a tour of our facilities and presented an overview of WB3C's mission and ongoing initiatives. In addition, our cybercrime experts introduced the guests to WB3C's cyber investigations curriculum, highlighting how we are equipping participants with practical skills to address real-world cybercrime challenges.

During the visit, our guests expressed interest in learning more about WB3C’s partnerships and shared ideas on how these collaborations could be further leveraged with EU stakeholders to support cybersecurity efforts in the region. Their insights contributed to a productive and friendly exchange, reinforcing the importance of strong partnerships in advancing regional cyber resilience.