Training of trainers for senior officials in WB6 Public administrations

Cyber Hygiene for Civil Servants programme is an initiative delivered jointly by WB3C and Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA). This training programme is designed to empower senior-level public officials with the knowledge and skills required to educate their peers about cyber hygiene within their respective public administrations and by cascading knowledge, to enhance the overall cyber resilience of the region.

Course Overview:

The training spans three days and is structured to blend theoretical knowledge with practical exercises:

Day 1: Educational Skills Modules

Focus on outcome-based education, teaching preparation and teaching methods and techniques. This foundational day equips participants with the educational principles necessary to effectively transfer knowledge.

Day 2: Cyber Hygiene for Users

Dives into the objectives and stakes of information security, covering basics of ISO/IEC standards and cybersecurity threat awareness. Participants will explore security policy frameworks and the architecture of information security systems.

Day 3: Practical Application

Participants engage in practical exercises that reinforce their learning and develop hands-on skills in incident management procedures and actions to be taken in response to cyber incidents. This session simulates real-world scenarios to enhance problem-solving skills.

Educational Highlights

Participants will gain insights into educational principles, communication techniques and teaching methodologies.

The programme covers crucial topics in cyber hygiene such as security policies, threat awareness, preventive measures, and incident management procedures. Engaging practical exercises simulate real-world scenarios to enhance participants’ problem-solving skills and application of knowledge in real-life settings.

Training for women in cyber for governance, business and academia

The "Women4Cyber Joint Action Program," hosted by the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), is tailored for women from various sectors - government, private, and academia across the Western Balkans. This programme is designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity from political, economic, societal, and technical perspectives. It aims to empower women by highlighting the benefits of diversity in cybersecurity and exploring the essential skills needed in the field.

The course sessions cover a broad spectrum of topics:

•  Cyber Challenges: Understanding the multifaceted nature of cybersecurity issues.
• Benefits of Diversity in Cybersecurity: Discussing how diverse perspectives enhance problem-solving and innovation.
• Cyber Skills Needed: Identifying key competencies and knowledge areas crucial for career advancement in cybersecurity.
• Rethinking Recruiting: Strategies to attract more women into cybersecurity roles.
• Sharing of Best Practices: Learning from successful policies and practices across the region.
• Benefits of the Women4Cyber Platform and Tools for Cooperation: Utilizing platforms for collaboration and support among cybersecurity professionals.
• Preparing Future Talents in Cyber: Developing educational pathways that encourage young women to enter the field.
• Empowering Women in Cyber Tech: Fostering leadership and technical skills among participants.
• Breaking Barriers and Leading Change: Inspiring women to become leaders and change-makers in cybersecurity.

This comprehensive approach not only prepares participants to tackle current and emerging cyber threats but also promotes a more inclusive and dynamic cybersecurity workforce.

Protecting children from online crimes

As technology continues to advance, the online exploitation of children has become one of the most pressing and deeply concerning challenges confronting law enforcement across the world.  This four-day training for law enforcement professionals and cybersecurity experts from the South East Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA) member countries, focused on cryptocurrency and online child sexual abuse and exploitation. The programme is delivered in partnership with the Council of Europe (COE), OSCE, Austrian Cybercrime Competence Centre (C4) and the Ministry of Interior of Serbia.

 The training is addressing three critical areas:

1.      Cryptocurrency Investigations:  

• The use of cryptocurrencies in criminal activities, particularly in cases involving child exploitation.  
• Blockchain tracing techniques and methodologies for seizing virtual assets through both theory and practical exercises.
• Sessions include best practices for evaluating wallets, understanding derivation paths, and using specialized tools to track illicit transactions.

 2.      Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Online:  

• Comprehensive training on identifying and disrupting child exploitation networks, with a focus on international cooperation.
• Psychological impact on investigators working in this sensitive area, offering support and tools to help them manage the emotional toll of these investigations.
• In-depth discussions on undercover operations, the use of digital platforms used for child sexual exploitation and effective methods for collecting electronic evidence.

3.      Cross-Border Collaboration:

•  Facilitating collaboration among law enforcement agencies from across the region, Europe and key international partners. The goal is to share knowledge and foster greater coordination in tackling these global challenges.
• Presentation of updates on regional and international efforts to combat cybercrime. 

This collaborative training activity marks a significant step forward in our shared mission to protect children from exploitation and hold those who use emerging technologies for illicit purposes accountable. International collaboration is key for strengthening the tools and techniques needed to safeguard vulnerable communities and dismantle criminal networks.