Western Balkan Cyber Camp – Alumni Online Session

14.01.2026

On 14 January 2026, the Western Balkan Cyber Camp community reconvened online, to maintain the momentum of regional networking and learning that took place last May in Durres, Albania, bringing together 60 young people from the region who aspire to become cyber professionals. Opening the session, Prof. Asoc. Dr. Igli Tafa, former General Director of AKSK and newly appointed director of AKSHI, underscored the strategic importance of maintaining an active alumni community beyond individual events. His opening remarks were followed by a panel discussion, “The Alumni Network as a Force for Regional Cyber Resilience,” exploring how informal professional ties can complement institutional cooperation. The group heard insights from Ms. Brunilda Halili, National Community Safety Officer, OSCE Presence in Albania and Prof. Blerim Rexha, University of Prishtina, who highlighted the value of cross-border knowledge exchange, early-career mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving in a region facing shared cyber threats. The discussion emphasized that resilience is not built solely through policy frameworks, but through trusted communities of practitioners.

AI and Cybersecurity: Friend or Foe?

A lightning talk by Ms. Piret Hirv, Head of the Data Management Competence Centre at e-Governance Academy, examined the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The session addressed:

AI as a force multiplier in detection and response
The risks of AI-enabled manipulation and automated cybercrime
The growing need for technical literacy and ethical awareness

The discussion placed emerging technologies within a practical, career-oriented context for young professionals.

Cyber Careers in 2025 – Positioning for Impact

In a forward-looking mini-workshop, Mr. Eno Ngjela (UNDP) provided guidance on navigating the cybersecurity landscape in 2026 by looking at the job market in the previous year.

Participants explored:

Specialisation pathways within cybersecurity
Aligning skills with international and EU standards
Building credible professional profiles
Leveraging regional networks for opportunity and mobility

The workshop reinforced the importance of proactive career planning in a rapidly evolving field.

Next Steps: From Online Exchange to In-Person Engagement

The session concluded with an introduction to the upcoming 2026 in-person Alumni Event, presented by Mr. Gilles Schwoerer, Head of WB3C

The online edition demonstrated that the Western Balkan Cyber Camp is evolving into a durable regional platform. By sustaining dialogue between alumni and partners, the initiative strengthens both professional pathways and collective cyber resilience across the Western Balkans.

Further engagement opportunities and updates on the 2026 gathering will follow.

Other news and events

Visit by CBRN Centres of Excellence Project 101

WB3C was pleased to meet with representatives of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Project 101 to discuss potential cooperation in strengthening critical infrastructure protection and security.
The exchange with Alexandre Custaud, EU CBRN CoE Project 101 Team Leader and Scott S. focused on possible synergies between cybersecurity, CBRN risk mitigation and broader critical infrastructure resilience. As threats to essential services become increasingly interconnected, cross-sector cooperation is essential to support more coordinated, practical, and future-oriented capacity building.
WB3C team Gilles Schwoerer and Maja Miranovic stressed that sectoral approach in building resilience for critical infrastructure is central in our 3-year EU funded programme and expressed readiness to explore areas where our respective expertise and regional engagement can contribute to stronger resilience and security.

Police officers complete demanding 15-month journey from investigator to digital forensics graduate

When fourteen police investigators recently graduated from WB3C's Digital Forensics programme delivered in partnership with the University of Technology of Troyes (UTT), the public saw the final result: internationally recognised diplomas, successful thesis defences and a new generation of specialised cybercrime investigators.

Less visible was the work that took place behind the scenes to get there.

For fifteen months, participants balanced full-time operational duties with a university-level programme requiring approximately 1,400 hours of study. While continuing to investigate cybercrime cases and fulfil their professional responsibilities, they attended classes, completed practical assignments, conducted research and prepared professional theses.

As the programme entered its final stage, WB3C and UTT intensified their support to help participants navigate one of the most demanding parts of the academic journey: the preparation and defence of their final papers.

Participants received detailed guidance on thesis writing, academic standards and defence procedures applied by UTT. Following the submission of their papers, mentors conducted individual reviews and provided detailed feedback, recommendations and improvement points. Students then worked through revisions and refinements before receiving final confirmation that their work met the required academic standards.

Throughout this process, mentors remained available for consultations, questions and individual support, ensuring that participants could successfully bridge the gap between operational expertise and academic requirements.

The final result was more than a successful examination. It demonstrated the determination of investigators who committed to a demanding programme while remaining on active duty, and the value of sustained mentorship and international cooperation in building specialised cybercrime capabilities.

The graduation of all fourteen participants stands as a testament not only to their professional competence, but also to the perseverance required to complete a rigorous university programme alongside the realities of modern law enforcement work.

Advancing Cyber Resilience of Critical Entities through ISO 27001 Training

This week, at Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) we are running a three-day training on ISO/IEC 27001:2022, delivered in cooperation with our partner Čikom and led by its CISO and SOC Manager Mladen Bukilic.

As countries across the region advance their alignment with European cybersecurity requirements, organisations responsible for public services and critical functions face growing expectations to manage risks in a systematic and measurable way.
The training introduces participants to the principles of Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), covering topics such as risk assessment, security governance, incident management, internal audits and continual improvement. Through practical exercises and case studies, participants develop the tools needed to translate security requirements into organisational practice.
More than a compliance exercise, ISO 27001 provides a framework for protecting information assets, strengthening organisational resilience and building trust in an increasingly interconnected environment.
The activity is delivered within the regional project "Improving the Resilience of Critical Entities and the Protection of Public Spaces and Cyberspace against Security Threats in the Western Balkans", funded by the European Union.