Operational Technology, Cyber Resilient Ecosystems, and Critical Information Infrastructure Protection: Enhancing Cybersecurity Proficiency for Western Balkans Administrations

06.09.2024

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The Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), in collaboration with the Dutch Nationaal Cyber Security Centrum (NCSC-NL) of the Ministry of Justice and Security, conducted a specialized training from 3 to 6 September at WB3C’s new premises in the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro.

The training series was designed to enhance the cybersecurity skills of key government officials from across the Western Balkans, focusing on protecting Critical Infrastructures (CI) and Critical Information Infrastructures (CII). Divided into three segments, the programme covered:

Operational Technology:
Participants learned to secure Operational Technology crucial to sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and utilities. Practical sessions explored strategies for defending against cyber threats targeting OT environments.
Cyber Resilient Ecosystems:
This segment focused on building resilient ecosystems capable of withstanding and recovering from cyber incidents. The training involved hands-on exercises to develop regional and sector-specific strategies.
Critical Information Infrastructure Protection:
The final segment provided insights into protecting essential digital assets, with practical exercises to strengthen strategies for safeguarding critical information infrastructures.

The training brought together government officials responsible for digital affairs, national crisis management, and critical infrastructure, as well as researchers in cybersecurity. Led jointly by experts from NCSC-NL and WB3C, this programme reflects WB3C's ongoing commitment to promoting cooperation both internationally and regionally on matters of cybersecurity.

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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.
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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.
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Grateful to all partners and organizers for the opportunity to be part of these important exchanges.