This week, the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) successfully concluded its first regional Certified Data Protection Officer training in Podgorica, bringing together 12 public servants, two from each of the six Western Balkans economies.

The intensive three-day workshop provided advanced, practical training in data protection governance, moving from theory to application through realistic public-sector simulations. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises, including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and data breach response drills, using tailored scenarios to bridge the gap between legal frameworks and daily operational challenges.

Under the leadership of Gilles Schwoerer, WB3C is committed to advancing the region's cyber resilience and EU alignment through such specialized capacity-building initiatives. This initiative directly supports the region's efforts to align with EU data protection standards and regulations (GDPR), a key step in the digital transformation and EU integration agenda. By fostering a network of certified professionals across the WB6, we are strengthening the foundational capabilities necessary for cross-border data flows and future digital market integration.

We extend our appreciation to the dedicated national coordinators, our expert trainers Stefano Leucci, Stella Manga Chesnay and Blerta Xhako, and all participants for their commitment to advancing data protection standards and regional cooperation.

Talent is not an issue - we need more opportunity, visibility and structured support.

Seeing a room full of 70 ambitious young women - many already studying or working in ICT - taking on cybersecurity challenges with confidence and creativity is a reminder of the immense potential that exists right here in the Western Balkans.
Their presentations following the hands-on exercises made one thing clear: talent is not the issue - visibility and opportunity are.

Across the region, women remain one of the most under-utilized resources for innovation, growth and a balanced digital economy.
While global figures show women make up only around 22–24% of the cybersecurity workforce, the gap grows wider at the top - far fewer women reach leadership or C-level roles. Many still face a glass ceiling, subtle bias or the weight of imposter syndrome in male-dominated environments. Supporting young women in developing confidence, assertiveness, and leadership skills is therefore as essential as technical training itself.

Cybersecurity, at its core, is about resilience and adaptability. To build that resilience, our teams must reflect the diversity of the societies they defend. Investing in women in cyber is not a matter of fairness alone - it’s a matter of strategic foresight for the region’s stability and competitiveness.

As these young women step forward, they challenge old assumptions, redefine expertise and show that the future of cybersecurity in the Western Balkans can be both strong and inclusive.

We deeply appreciate our partnership with DCAF and FCDO for enabling WB3C to be part of such an important initiative. 
 

We are proud to announce that our colleague, Vanja Radović, is representing the WB3C in the prestigious CybHER programme, run by the British Council. This initiative is dedicated to empowering, educating and motivating women to become the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.
For Vanja, this is a pivotal opportunity in her early formative professional years to accelerate her professional growth. The programme's curriculum is designed to equip participants with both the vision and the tools to succeed in the tech industry. Throughout the course, the group of ambitious young women will:
💡 Develop authentic leadership skills by understanding their personal values, styles and emotional intelligence.
💡Explore diverse cybersecurity career paths and identify specific opportunities for their own professional growth.
💡Gain proven strategies to overcome gender stereotypes and navigate workplace barriers with confidence.
💡Strengthen networking and collaboration skills to build a powerful support system that fosters resilience and collective growth.
💡Create a personal action plan to immediately apply these leadership insights in their daily work.

We are especially excited that Vanja will be learning from established regional leaders like Larisa Halilovic ♀️, an international leadership expert, and Andreja Mihailovic, PhD, President of Women4Cyber Montenegro. Their guidance will take the programme beyond pure technical knowledge to focus on the essential skills for leadership in a male-dominated field.
At Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), we believe that empowering women with core competencies like social intelligence, resilience and strategic networking is just as critical as technical expertise. We are committed to supporting our team members as they grow into the leadership roles our industry needs, and Vanja's participation in CybHER is a perfect example of this commitment in action.