Events

In a series of high-level meetings held in Bucharest on 16–17 June, Gilles Schwoerer, Head of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), engaged with several key international stakeholders to explore new avenues of cooperation in the cyber domain.

During the visit, Mr. Schwoerer met with representatives of the Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe, the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) – Regional Office, and the Palo Alto Networks South East Europe Office.

Highlights from the visit include:

• With ECCC, WB3C explored the possibility of co-organizing a regional seminar for cybersecurity agencies in the Western Balkans in 2026.
• Discussions with the Council of Europe focused on aligning and coordinating ongoing cybercrime-related initiatives across the region.
• The meeting with Palo Alto Networks explored potential synergies, including integrating their remote learning content into the WB3C Moodle-based training platform.
• With the FCDO Regional Office, talks continued on future collaboration under the cybersecurity pillar, building on earlier exchanges.

These meetings reflect WB3C’s proactive approach to fostering strategic partnerships and reinforcing regional cyber capacity through cooperation, shared expertise, and technology-enhanced learning.

In cooperation with Urad Vlade Republike Slovenije za informacijsko varnost (URSIV), WB3C hosted a three day cybersecurity training (10-12 June 2025) for government CIRT professionals from across the Western Balkans. The training focused on cyber threats, incident response and risk management, equipping government IT staff with the tools and knowledge to better protect public institutions and national digital assets.

On Day 3, the national cybersecurity professionals engaged in a practical Capture the Flag (CTF) exercise designed to strengthen incident response capabilities through a live simulated attack.
Why CTFs work as training model?

✔️ Stress-test readiness: Defending systems while clock is ticking
✔️ Unscripted collaboration: Cross-agency teamwork in crisis
✔️ Skills validated, not just taught: Flags are captured and threats neutralized!

CTF demonstrates how immersive simulations bridge theory and practice with controlled real-world scenarios, and build coordinated response protocols. Most importantly, they identify capability gaps in a risk-free environment. 

Once again, thank you to our partner Urad Vlade Republike Slovenije za informacijsko varnost (URSIV) for joining Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) in our efforts to support the region, our trainer Gregor Spagnolo, as well as our dedicated participants representing five WB governments. 

 

WB3C organized a study visit to Čikom, one of the leading ICT companies in Montenegro, on 11 June 2025, bringing along our partners from the University of Technology of Troyes (UTT), France and the National Cybersecurity Agency of Slovenia (URSIV), as well as the 15 course participants of the Digital Forensics training programme,  to demonstrate how a SOC team works. We used this opportunity to promote the need for establishing operational exchanges between SOCs and law enforcement to our students, but also to promote our degree programme on digital investigations for police officers to our Čikom partners from the private sector. 

The visit provided an opportunity for Čikom and WB3C to identify areas of cooperation in the cybersecurity pillar including identifying young talent and building public-private partnerships, all aimed at strengthening cyber resilience in the region.  Čikom will provide internship to a student of the University of Caen, France this summer and we are grateful for their readiness to support young talent and provide them with the necessary work experience.  

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 Office Anti-Cybercriminalite (OFAC)  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.

WB3C was present at the prestigious Paris Cyber Summit 2-3 June 2025 which convened European and US ministers, policymakers, and cybersecurity experts for a series of high‑level sessions on building trust in the digital age.  Thematic panels addressed critical topics, including:

• Cyber‑defence strategies and resilience of critical infrastructure
• The role of artificial intelligence in both cyberattacks and cybersecurity
• Intelligence‑sharing frameworks to counter hybrid warfare and foreign interference.

WB3C’s attendance - alongside leading national delegations, EU institutions, and private sector leaders, was a great opportunity to create important links and meet potential partners and donors and affirmed our commitment to strengthening regional capabilities in line with EU strategic priorities and international best practices.  Head of WB3C Gilles Schwoerer had the opportunity to meet with the Director of the National Cybersecurity Agency of Moldova, following a visit to WB3C by Mrs Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, who expressed interest in working with WB3C.

Today, WB3C was paid a curtesy visit by Australian Federal Police representatives based at the Australian Embassy in Belgrade, Mr Phillip Anderson and Deputy Head of Mission and Mr Ian Nelson Counsellor.

This visit to WB3C was to see the facilities and initiate a discussion on potential cooperation and support to WB3C's mission. The delegation was met by our in-house trainer on cybercrime Cyril C.

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).

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.

We are excited to share a significant milestone in the journey of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre initiative. On 22 May 2025, the French Parliament ratified an international agreement that officially recognizes WB3C as an international organization. With this ratification, WB3C joins Slovenia and Montenegro in formalizing its status as a regional organization dedicated to strengthening cyber resilience of institutions and fostering cooperation across the Western Balkans.

This achievement marks a significant step forward in our mission to support the institutions of the Western Balkans through capacity-building and regional cooperation. It also makes WB3C the first international organization headquartered in Montenegro, underscoring the country's strategic importance in regional integration.

While the formal ratification is a major breakthrough, the journey continues as we work towards establishing the full operational framework of the organization. We remain committed to advancing our work and look forward to the next chapters of this exciting evolution.

We are deeply grateful to our partner governments, stakeholders and supporters whose dedication has brought us to this pivotal moment. Together, we are building a more stable, prosperous and interconnected Western Balkans.