Balkan Cybersecurity Days 2025

18.03.2025

The Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) has the pleasure of hosting the 3-day Balkan Cybersecurity Days 2025 conference, co-organized by DCAF - Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance in collaboration with CIRT.ME and supported by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This conference reflects WB3C’s ongoing partnership with DCAF, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening cybersecurity capabilities across the Western Balkans.

The conference opened yesterday at the Naučno-tehnološki park Crne Gore / Science Technology Park of Montenegro, bringing together around 150 cybersecurity professionals from across the region. Opening remarks were delivered by Gilles Schwoerer, Head of WB3C, alongside British Ambassador Dawn McKen and Montenegrin Minister of Public Administration Marash Dukaj, whose Ministry is leading on the digital and cyber agenda in Montenegro. Franziska Klopfer, Principal Programme Manager at DCAF, and Serge Droz, Member of the Board of Directors at FIRST, also shared their perspectives on strengthening partnerships and enhancing cyber resilience.

In his address, Gilles Schwoerer highlighted WB3C’s central role in providing sustainable, long-term capacity building to the region across three pillars: cybersecurity, cybercrime and cyberdiplomacy, but also our role in strengthening regional cooperation and supporting the EU alignment process for all Western Balkans administrations.

Over the three days, the conference will continue with expert-led discussions and specialized training sessions designed to equip participants with practical skills in addressing emerging cybersecurity challenges.

Other news and events

DIAGONAL — a comprehensive pre-diagnostic tool

Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) has just completed a two-day training on the application of DIAGONAL — a comprehensive pre-diagnostic tool developed by the French Gendarmerie to assess cyber maturity and institutional resilience.
DIAGONAL offers a holistic assessment of an organization's architecture designed to protect against digital threats, encompassing areas such as strategy, governance, data protection and incident response.
Delivered by David T. Head of IT Europe at ArcelorMittal and a reserve of the French Gendarmerie, this training brings together cybersecurity professionals from across the Western Balkans. It's a significant step in enhancing regional cooperation and institutional preparedness.
Self-assessment is a crucial instrument for planning future development programmes, ensuring that support is targeted and effective.

International Conference of Security Managers

Gilles Schwoerer, Head of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), and Maja Miranovic, Project Manager, took part in the 2nd International Conference of Security Managers, organised by the Association of Security Managers of Montenegro in Budva, Montenegro.
This important gathering brought together over 250 security professionals from across the region to address today’s most pressing challenges—from the protection of critical infrastructure and digital resilience to the role of advanced technologies in corporate and public security. On this occasion, Mr. Schwoerer presented WB3C’s mission and activities, highlighting the Centre’s role in advancing cyber capacity across the Western Balkans.

WB3C at Forum INCYBER Europe (FIC)

WB3C was pleased to take part in the Forum INCYBER Europe (FIC) 2025 in Lille, France, from 1–3 April—Europe’s leading event on cybersecurity and digital trust.
Head of WB3C, Gilles Schwoerer, along with colleagues from Direction de la Coopération de Sécurité et de Défense DCSD 🇫🇷 Guillaume Narjollet and The University of Technology of Troyes Reza E. presented the Centre’s mission and activities during a high-level panel on scaling cyber capacity through regional centres and strategic partnerships. Alongside our colleagues from the Western Balkans delegation, we explored global trends, exchanged ideas with leading cybersecurity companies and agencies, and forged new connections to support cyber resilience in the region.
A particular highlight was the discussion on future collaboration between Campus Cyber (France), the Naučno-tehnološki park Crne Gore / Science Technology Park of Montenegro and WB3C—an exciting prospect for building a stronger regional ecosystem.
Grateful to all partners and organizers for the opportunity to be part of these important exchanges.