WB3C partners with World Economic Forum

19.05.2025

The Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Center (WB3C) is proud to announce its collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to host the region’s first Cyber Capacity Building Workshop on 19-20 May 2025 in Podgorica. This high-level gathering will convene global experts and regional stakeholders to strengthen the Western Balkans’ cybersecurity resilience through two critical streams: addressing the cyber talent shortage and enhancing collaborative strategies against cybercrime.

A Convergence of Global and Regional Expertise

The workshop will feature contributions from an exceptional roster of international and regional leaders, including:

Opening remarks: Mr Gilles Schwoerer, WB3C Programme Director

Keynote Speaker: Mr Marash Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro

Opening panel: Cybersecurity in the Western Balkans: Bridging global practices with local needs

Dušan Polović, General Director at the Directorate for Infrastructure, Information Security, Digitalization and E-services at the Ministry of Public Administration (Montenegro)

Rob Rashotte, Vice-President, Global Training and Technical Field Enablement, Fortinet (Canada)

Jelena Zelenovic Matone, Chief Information Security Officer, European Investment Bank (Luxembourg)

Samuel Hassine, Chief Executive Officer, Filigran (France)

Ivan Bošković, President of e-Commerce Association of Montenegro

Moderator: Nataša Perućica, Lead for Capacity Building, Centre for Cybersecurity, World Economic Forum

Stream 1: Addressing the Cyber Talent Shortage

- Nataša Perućica, Lead for Capacity Building, Centre for Cybersecurity, World Economic Forum

- Dana Berman, Manager, Strategic Business Development & Marketing - Cybersecurity Services, Check Point Software Technologies (Israel)

- Denise Cassidy, EMEA Security HR Lead, Accenture (Ireland)

- Giuseppe Cinque, Principal Architect, Cisco Digital Impact Office, Cisco Systems (Italy)

- Reza Elgalai, Université Technologique de Troyes (France)

- Rob Rashotte, Vice-President, Global Training and Technical Field Enablement, Fortinet (Canada)

- Abdullah Albaiz, General Manager for Human Capital Development, National Cybersecurity Authority of Saudi Arabia

- Grace Boyling, Senior Policy Advisor on International Cyber Skills, UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

- Mark Mannheim, Programme Manager, Cybersecurity and Digital Identity Directorate, UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

- Jakub Olszewski, Head of Skills Academies, Standard Chartered Bank (United Kingdom)

Stream 2: Collaborative Strategies Against Cybercrime

- Sean Doyle, Cybercrime Atlas Initiative, World Economic Forum Centre for Cybersecurity

- Alex Wloch, Senior Analyst, Active Threat Monitoring, Standard Chartered Bank (United Kingdom)

- Céline Louyat, Inspector, Public Finance, AGRASC (France)

- Livia Tirbina, Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, Sekoia.io (France)

- James Gill, Global Head, Cyber Threat Response, Banco Santander (Spain)

- Jakub Olszewski, Head of Skills Academies, Standard Chartered Bank (United Kingdom)

- Jelena Zelenovic Matone, Chief Information Security Officer, European Investment Bank (Luxembourg)

- Paul-Alexandre Gillot, J-CAT Coordinator, Europol EC3 (France)

- Samuel Hassine, CEO, Filigran (France)

Why This Workshop Matters

Recent data reveals alarming trends in the Western Balkans:

- A 40% increase in cyber incidents since 2023

- A 200% surge in ransomware attacks between 2022-2024

- A critical shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals

This workshop will tackle these challenges head-on by:

- Developing actionable strategies to attract, train, and retain cybersecurity talent in the region

- Strengthening operational collaboration between law enforcement, governments, and private sector leaders

- Aligning regional efforts with global frameworks like WEF’s Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework and Cybercrime Disruption Framework

Join the Conversation

While attendance is by invitation only, organizations interested in contributing to the Western Balkans’ cybersecurity resilience efforts are encouraged to contact us for more information on info@wb3c.org.

World-Economic-Forum-Workshop-AGENDA.pdf

Other news and events

Empowering Albania’s institutions to fight cybercrime

This week, Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) partnered with UNDP Albania to deliver an intensive Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) training for 20 law enforcement officers and prosecutors from across Albania.

Led by a French expert from OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), the session equipped participants with techniques to gather, analyze and leverage publicly available information for complex cybercrime investigations.

Why this matters?

Combatting cybercrime is a core strategic pillar for us. Strengthening the capabilities of regional institutions to investigate and prosecute digital threats is vital both for the security, economic prosperity and the European integration of the region.

A huge thank you to:
• The committed Albanian officers and prosecutors for their proactive engagement
• UNDP Albania for their invaluable partnership
• Our OFAC expert for sharing critical expertise and real-world insights.

This week, Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) partnered with UNDP Albania to deliver an intensive Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) training for 20 law enforcement officers and prosecutors from across Albania.

Led by a French expert from OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), the session equipped participants with techniques to gather, analyze and leverage publicly available information for complex cybercrime investigations.

Why this matters?

Combatting cybercrime is a core strategic pillar for us. Strengthening the capabilities of regional institutions to investigate and prosecute digital threats is vital both for the security, economic prosperity and the European integration of the region.

A huge thank you to:
• The committed Albanian officers and prosecutors for their proactive engagement
• UNDP Albania for their invaluable partnership
• Our OFAC expert for sharing critical expertise and real-world insights.

Specialized training for Kosovo* prosecutors with HAPE

From May 26 to 29, WB3C organized a specialized training course for Kosovo* prosecutors and law enforcement officials, as part of the Home Affairs Programme of the EU in Kosovo (HAPE).

This training, delivered by the two WB3C trainers, supported Kosovo's* efforts to strengthen institutional capacity to investigate and prosecute serious cybercrime, particularly in the areas of organized crime, corruption, cyber threats, and counterterrorism.

This initiative is part of a broader EU-supported effort to improve operational readiness in key areas, including financial crime, cybercrime, and border management, and to foster regional and cross-border cooperation in accordance with European standards. As the region's central training platform, WB3C was pleased to be able to contribute to regional cyber capacity building initiatives in support of European integration and the rule of law.

*References to Kosovo shall be understood in the context of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).

Building the Next Generation of Cyber Talent

Last week in Durres, Albania, 60 students from across the Western Balkans came together for the Western Balkan Cyber Camp 2025 - a dynamic, hands-on learning experience focused on building practical skills and regional collaboration in cybersecurity. The camp featured expert-led sessions, live cyber drills and exchanges with professionals from national CSIRTs, giving participants the chance to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios and deepen their understanding of today’s digital threats.
Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) was proud to support this important regional initiative, alongside Autoriteti Kombëtar për Sigurinë Kibernetike / National Cyber Security Authority, OSCE Presence in Albania, e-Governance Academy and GIZ Albania HR.

The WB3C delegation was led by Gilles Schwoerer, Head of WB3C, who emphasized our ongoing commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and investing in the next generation of cyber talent.

At WB3C, we see events like this as essential to creating a resilient digital future - by connecting people, sharing knowledge and empowering the cyber professionals of tomorrow.