Two days of sharing insight and collaboration

21.05.2025

It was a privilege to welcome so many distinguished colleagues, partners, and new collaborators to the Cyber Capacity Building Workshop, jointly hosted by World Economic Forum Cybersecurity and Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) on 19-20 May .

The workshop brought together a remarkable group of cybersecurity professionals, policymakers and private sector leaders and educators for two days of focused discussions on issues: cyber talent shortage and international collaboration in disrupting cybercrime.

Mr. Marash Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro, who opened the event with a keynote, following the welcome speech by Gilles Schwoerer, Head of WB3C, emphasized the urgency of strengthening cyber capabilities across the Western Balkans. This was followed by insights from a high-level panel featuring:
-Dušan Polović, Ministry of Public Administration, Montenegro
-Ivan Boskovic, e-Commerce Association of Montenegro
-Jelena Zelenovic Matone, European Investment Bank, and
-Rob Rashotte, Fortinet (Canada),
who bring vast experience and knowledge from their global operations.
The panel was moderated by Natasa Perucica, World Economic Forum, Lead for capacity building at the WEF Cybersecurity Centre.

The programme continued in two parallel tracks:
🔹 Stream 1 focused on building and retaining cybersecurity talent, with speakers from Accenture, Check Point, Université de Troyes, Fortinet, National Cybersecurity Authority of Saudi Arabia, and the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

During the workshop, the World Economic Forum also presented two key publications that offer practical insights into developing the cybersecurity workforce:
Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework
🔗 https://lnkd.in/eZ9mFTyt
Growing Cyber Talent Through Public-Private Partnerships
🔗 https://lnkd.in/gQ8xczpM

Both publications highlight proven approaches, success stories and lessons from global partnerships that are highly relevant for the Western Balkans and beyond.
🔹 Stream 2 explored operational collaboration against cybercrime, with contributions from Europol EC3, Sekoia.io, Standard Chartered, and the World Economic Forum’s Cybercrime Atlas Initiative.
Across both streams, discussions were practical and constructive—examining the realities of cyber workforce shortages, the anatomy of current threats, and the importance of trust and cross-border cooperation.
Gilles Schwoerer, provided a brief overview of the Centre’s three pillars—cybersecurity, cybercrime, and cyberdiplomacy—emphasizing the importance of partnerships in advancing this collaborative effort.

A sincere thank you to all speakers, contributors, and participants for your openness and energy throughout the workshop. We are especially grateful to our partners at the World Economic Forum for their support in building cyber resilience of the Western Balkans.

WEF_Strategic_Cybersecurity_Talent_Framework_2024-(1).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.