Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace – International Norms and the Role of the EU in Cyberdiplomacy

12.11.2024

The Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), in partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), will be hosting a three-day workshop titled "Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace: International Norms and the Role of the EU in Cyberdiplomacy" from 12 to 14 November. This event brings together experts from across the region and the EU to explore critical aspects of cyberdiplomacy, focusing on international norms, the role of international law in cyberspace, and the European Union's efforts in fostering cyber cooperation.

Workshop Highlights:

Day 1: An in-depth exploration of the UN Framework on Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace, including key components such as UN norms, international law, capacity building, and confidence-building measures.
Day 2: A detailed examination of the EU’s cyber ecosystem and its collaborative efforts with the Western Balkans to enhance regional cybersecurity cooperation.
Day 3: A hands-on tabletop exercise simulating international cooperation and national coordination in response to a cyber incident.

Why Cyberdiplomacy Matters

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the importance of diplomatic engagement to establish rules of behavior in cyberspace has never been more crucial. Cyberdiplomacy plays a key role in preventing cyber conflicts, promoting trust between nations and ensuring a stable and secure digital environment. The European Union, with its robust cyber ecosystem and diplomatic efforts, is at the forefront of shaping these international norms.

WB3C is actively contributing to these efforts by providing a platform for regional and international cooperation, training and capacity-building. By hosting workshops such as this, WB3C strengthens the ability of Western Balkans countries to engage in global cyberdiplomacy and contribute to the development of a secure and resilient cyberspace.

Other news and events

Upcoming

Disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Capacity Building Workshops

Draft Programme

📅 30 November – 1 December 2026
📍 Science and Technology Park, Podgorica, Montenegro
🏛️ Conference Hall Unicorn, 2nd floor

Context: Building on WB3C’s May 2026 regional conference, these workshops examine how governments, media and other stakeholders can anticipate, prevent and respond to malign information operations. Sessions combine strategic perspectives with practical approaches to threat detection, crisis coordination, reporting and AI-enabled information manipulation. The programme is provisional and still subject to change.
Audience: Government strategic communications officials, cybersecurity leadership, journalists, media regulators, fact-checkers and civil society organisations.
Working language: English (no simultaneous interpretation).
Chatham House Rule: The workshops will be held under the Chatham House Rule, providing a safe space for an open dialogue.

Funding: The event is organised under the EU-funded project “Improving the resilience of critical entities and the protection of public spaces and cyberspace against security threats in the Western Balkans” (2026–2028). This event is also supported by Poland, Norway, United Kingdom and France, through their diplomatic missions in Podgorica and Belgrade.

DAY 1 – Monday, 30 November 2026

☕ 08:30–09:00 | ARRIVAL
Registration and welcome coffee

🕘 09:00–09:30 | OPENING REMARKS
• WB3C
• Ministry for European Affairs of Montenegro
• EU

🎙️ 09:30–10:00 | MODERATED POLICY DIALOGUE
Montenegro at the Crossroads: Safeguarding Its Democracy and European Future in an Era of Hybrid Threats
• Biljana Papović — State Secretary, Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro
• Todor Goranović — Defence and Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Montenegro

🕘 10:00–10:45 | EXPERT SESSION
The Agents of Chaos: The Shadow Campaign Against the West
• Maciej Bukowski — Casimir Pulaski Foundation, Poland

☕ 10:45–11:15 | COFFEE BREAK

🕚 11:15–12:00 | EXPERT SESSION
From Detection to Decision: How VIGINUM Feeds Government Crisis Management During Hybrid Campaigns
• VIGINUM — France’s service for vigilance and protection against foreign digital interference

🕐 12:00–12:45 | EXPERT SESSION
AI-Enabled Disinformation, Coordinated AI Agents and Simulation of Influence Operations
• Daniel Schroeder — SINTEF Digital, Norway
• Henrik Vold — Norwegian Institute of Journalism, Norway
• Eirik Veum — Norwegian Police Security Service (PST), Norway

🍽️ 12:45–13:45 | LUNCH

🕑 14:00–14:45 | EXPERT SESSION
Coordination and decision making during an ongoing hybrid assault
• Matthew Booth — FCDO, United Kingdom

🕒 14:45–15:15 | VOICES FROM THE AUDIENCE

☕ 15:15–15:30 | COFFEE BREAK

🕒 15:30–17:00 | EXPERT SESSION
Modern Information Warfare: The Global Strategy to Destabilise the Western Balkans
• David Colon — Sciences Po, France

DAY 2 – Tuesday, 1 December 2026

🛠️ 08:00–10:00 | CLOSED WORKSHOP
• David Colon — France
• Matthew Booth — United Kingdom

🕙 10:00–11:00 | TECHNICAL SESSION
Technical Attribution, Classification and Cross-Border Interoperability
• VIGINUM — France

🕚 11:00–12:00 | EXPERT SESSION
Reporting in the Age of Information Warfare: Challenges for Journalists and Newsrooms
• Jamie Tarabay — Managing Director, Intelligence & Strategic Engagement, Crumpton Global LLC, USA

☕ 12:00–12:30 | COFFEE BREAK

🧩 12:30–14:00 | TABLETOP EXERCISE
The First 24 Hours: Managing a Coordinated Hybrid Crisis
• Maciej Bukowski — Casimir Pulaski Foundation, Poland
Practical tabletop exercise.

🍽️ 14:00–15:00 | LUNCH

🛠️ 15:00–17:00 | PRACTICAL WORKSHOP
Fighting Disinformation with Agentic Intelligence
• Henrik Vold — Norwegian Institute of Journalism, Norway
• Daniel Schroeder — SINTEF Digital, Norway
• Eirik Veum — Norwegian Police Security Service (PST), Norway

DAY 3 – Wednesday, 2 December 2026

🛠️ 10:00–12:00 | UNIVERSITY GUEST LECTURES
• Maciej Bukowski — Casimir Pulaski Foundation, Poland
• Jamie Tarabay — Crumpton Global LLC
University of Donja Gorica, Faculty of Humanities

NB. To register for the conference please use this LINK or contact vanja.madzgalj@wb3c.org. The number of seats is limited. This event will be photographed. Please read our Privacy Policy on the Registration Form.

From Le Creusot to the Western Balkans: New Opportunities for Cybersecurity Cooperation

This year's Forum INCYBER (FIC) des Territoires, held in Le Creusot, France, on 21-22 October, brought together experts, industry representatives and public institutions to discuss some of today's most pressing cybersecurity challenges: artificial intelligence, collective cyber defence and the protection of critical infrastructure.
For WB3C, participating at the invitation of General marc watin augouard- was an opportunity to exchange experience and explore new partnerships that could contribute to strengthening cyber resilience across the Western Balkans.
We were particularly encouraged by discussions that our Programme Director Gilles Schwoerer had with Hexatrust on critical infrastructure protection and Flavien CHERVET on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity. These contacts offer promising avenues for future cooperation and knowledge exchange.
The Forum also offered an opportunity to discover the remarkable heritage of Le Creusot, including the Château de la Verrerie, originally built in the 18th century as the royal crystal and enamel factory of Queen Marie-Antoinette. A memorable setting that brought together technological innovation and French industrial history.
Our thanks to General Marc Watin-Augouard and the organising team for the invitation, the valuable discussions and the opportunity to build new connections between French cybersecurity expertise and the Western Balkans.
📷 Photo credits: Communauté Urbaine Creusot Montceau (Forum INCYBER des Territoires) and Creusot-infos.com.

WB3C Welcomes NATO Framework Nation Concept Delegations

WB3C welcomed a delegation of military and defence representatives participating in the 13th Coordination Board meeting of the NATO Framework Nation Concept, led by Italy (FNC-ITA), hosted by Montenegro's Ministry of Defence of Montenegro.
The visit provided an opportunity to present WB3C’s mandate, activities and strategic priorities in strengthening regional capacities in cybersecurity, cybercrime and cyber diplomacy, while exploring potential areas of cooperation with defence and security institutions.
The Italian-led Framework Nation Concept brings together NATO allies to strengthen multinational cooperation through education and training, joint exercises, operational engagement and capability development.
As cyber threats increasingly intersect with broader security and defence challenges, the visit highlighted the importance of strengthening cyber resilience, developing specialised skills and fostering closer cooperation between civilian and defence institutions.
WB3C remains committed to expanding partnerships that contribute to regional security, institutional resilience and the development of cyber capabilities across the Western Balkans.