During a recent mission to Prishtina, WB3C joined CIVIPOL colleagues working on a Gap and Needs Assessment related to the protection of critical infrastructure and public spaces.
While the CIVIPOL assessment focused particularly on the institutional and legislative framework, including the role of the Ministry of Interior and alignment with the EU Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive, WB3C used the opportunity to engage directly with critical infrastructure operators and better understand their operational needs.
Together with Shkumbin Saneja from the Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Administration, WB3C met representatives from several key sectors: Arijeta Pajaziti Qerimi and Uran Thaci from energy, Adelina Dumani-Hulaj from Prishtina International Airport, Gazmend Gashi from transport/aviation, Arianit Maraj from telecommunications and Arbnor Imeri from the banking sector.
The discussion provided a useful cross-sector view of existing gaps, operational needs and capacity-building priorities. Despite the differences between sectors, a number of common areas of interest emerged.
This forms part of a wider regional process. WB3C will continue meeting key critical infrastructure stakeholders across the Western Balkans to better understand both sector-specific and shared needs, and to use these findings to shape a training and capacity-building plan tailored to the realities operators are facing.
This work is being carried forward in synergy with our partners under the EU-funded CEPS project, linking institutional assessments with the operational perspective of those responsible for running and protecting critical services.
 

We are pleased to welcome Jean-Pierre Bonnet, who joins the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) as a trainer working primarily in the field of cybercrime, while also contributing to the Centre’s cybersecurity activities.

Jean-Pierre began his career in the French Gendarmerie, initially serving in a mobile unit responsible for public-order operations and overseas deployments. He later moved into criminal investigations, progressively specialising in cybercrime-related fields and, in his most recent assignment, working on complex investigations across France.

His professional experience includes open-source intelligence (OSINT), digital forensics and Internet investigations, alongside training and knowledge-sharing with partner administrations in France. He is also completing a long-term professional training programme in cybersecurity and governance, further broadening the expertise he brings to WB3C.

At the Centre, Jean-Pierre will work with partners across the Western Balkans to support the development of skills and operational knowledge in cybercrime, while contributing with the wider team to the continued development of WB3C’s activities.

Welcome to the team, Jean-Pierre!

This week at WB3C, we concluded a four-day OSINT – Dark Web training for anti-drug police units, coming from law enforcement units from across the Western Balkans. The course was designed for police officers working in drug units and joining a WB3C training for the first time. 
The focus was practical: how publicly available information can support internet-based investigations, from identifying potential threats and collecting digital evidence to producing actionable intelligence for operational decision-making. 
Over four days, participants worked through the fundamentals of OSINT, evidence preservation, online protection and anonymisation, social-network investigations, investigative checks, the dark web, and structured data-collection planning. Particular attention was given to preserving the integrity of digital evidence and navigating online environments safely and securely. 
The training was delivered by Nicholas Michee from OFAST, France, together with Cyril CORRIAS, WB3C’s cybercrime trainer. Combining specialist anti-drug investigation experience with cybercrime expertise, they guided participants through the technical and investigative aspects of using open-source information and online environments in support of operational work.
Thank you to Nicholas Michee and our partners at OFAST, France, for their cooperation and expertise, and to Cyril Corrias for his contribution to the training. Thank you also to the participating officers for four days of focused practical work and professional exchange.