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Training Programmes

Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace

Instructors: DCAF, WB3C

Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace: International Norms and the Role of the EU in Cyberdiplomacy

This three-day workshop, hosted by the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) in partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) on 12-14 November 2024, focuses on fostering a deeper understanding of international frameworks and best practices in cyberdiplomacy, with a special emphasis on the European Union's role.

Day 1: Understanding the UN Framework on Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace

The first day is dedicated to exploring the UN Framework on Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace. Participants will engage in sessions that cover the four key components of the framework:

  • UN Norms
  • International Law
  • Capacity Building
  • Confidence Building Measures

The day will also feature discussions on the operationalization of these principles within the UN’s First Committee and the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on ICT security, along with an in-depth look at the draft UN convention on cybercrime. Additionally, the role of international law in cyberspace will be analyzed, focusing on the challenges of attribution and the application of a rules-based framework. The day concludes with a case study on Slovenia's practices in cyberdiplomacy.

Day 2: The EU Cyber Ecosystem and Cooperation with the Western Balkans

Day two offers insights into the structure of the EU’s cyber ecosystem and its collaborative efforts with the Western Balkans. Participants will gain a detailed understanding of:

  • The EU's cyber diplomacy ecosystem and efforts, led by the European External Action Service (EEAS)
  • EU support mechanisms for the Western Balkans through the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
  • The introduction of the EU Cyber Solidarity Act and Cyber Reserve
  • The role of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and Europol in strengthening regional cybersecurity

The day will also highlight international cooperation in cybersecurity with a special focus on the Western Balkans.

Day 3: Practical Exercises and International Cooperation

The final day features a hands-on tabletop exercise facilitated by experts from the Cyber Policy Institute. This exercise simulates international cooperation and national coordination during a cyber incident, reinforcing the lessons from the previous sessions. Participants will:

  • Explore the legal frameworks and best practices applicable to cyber incident response
  • Work in groups to manage a simulated incident
  • Debrief and present their solutions, emphasizing the importance of coordinated multinational responses

The workshop concludes with a comprehensive review of key takeaways and closing remarks.


Cyber Hygiene for Civil Servants

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.

Operational Technology, Resilient Ecosystems and Infrastructure Protection

Enhancing cybersecurity proficiancy of Western Balkans administrations

The training series developed in cooperation with the Netherlands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Cyber Security Centre consists of three integral parts, each designed to enhance different aspects of cybersecurity proficiency among participants from the Western Balkans within the context of Critical Infrastructures (CI) and Critical Information Infrastructures (CII). Participants will gain critical theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and awareness necessary to address the evolving challenges in cybersecurity.

1. Operational Technology

Duration: 1,5 days

This segment focuses on the specific security needs related to operational technology (OT), which is increasingly targeted in cyberattacks due to its critical role in controlling physical processes in industries like manufacturing, energy and utilities. The training aims to strengthen skills in protecting and securing OT environments from potential cyber threats.

*Focus on the integration and protection of operational technology within cybersecurity framework.

*Explore dependencies and the impact of cascading risks in operational settings.

*Practical sessions on developing resilient strategies and responses to cyber threats in operational technologies.

2. Cyber Resilient Ecosystems

Duration: 1,5 days

Participants will learn how to build and maintain cyber-resilient ecosystems that can withstand and quickly recover from cyber incidents. This part of the training emphasizes the importance of resilience planning and strategies to ensure continuity and reliability in the face of cyber disruptions.

  •  Innovative approaches to ecosystemic-thinking in cybersecurity.
  • Lessons from natural ecosystems applied to cyber challenges to foster robust public-private partnerships and strengthen regional cyber resilience.
  • Hands-on exercises for mapping and establishing cyber resilient ecosystems for organisations, specific regions like industrial areas, harbors, airports, or targeted sectors.

3. Critical Information Infrastructure Protection

Duration: 1 day

This training focuses on protecting critical information infrastructure, which is essential for the functioning of a society and economy. Topics include risk assessment, protection strategies and the implementation of security measures designed to protect vital digital assets and services from cyber threats.

  •  Essential insights into the relationship between CI and CII under cybersecurity perspectives.
  • Detailed discussion on the needs for protection amid a continuously changing cyber environment.
  • Focus on four key areas: Understanding CI and CII, Asset management, and building secure communities.
  • Practical exercises aimed at developing comprehensive strategies for protecting critical information infrastructure.
Digital Forensics for Police Investigators - 1-year specialist training programme

WB3C Launches a 1-Year Specialist Training in Digital Forensics  

The Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), in cooperation with the University of Technology of Troyes (UTT), is launching a one-year specialist training program for law enforcement professionals seeking to specialize in cybercrime investigations and digital forensics. Based on the existing N’Tech Investigator Training curriculum used by the French Gendarmerie, this unique programme equips participants with the advanced skills needed to tackle cyber-enabled crimes and digital threats.

Faced with rapidly evolving cyber threats, law enforcement must continually enhance their scientific, technological, legal and language expertise to effectively investigate crimes such as child exploitation, payment fraud and network intrusions. Therefore, this programme is a strategic investment in cyber capacity building, strengthening the ability of law enforcement in the Western Balkans to investigate and prosecute cybercrime cases effectively. Digital forensics is an increasingly in-demand field, as law enforcement agencies and the judiciary rely on skilled professionals to identify, analyze and preserve digital evidence in cybercrime cases.

Key Learning Areas:

  • Legal frameworks and cybercrime investigations
  • Digital forensic analysis and evidence preservation
  • OSINT and CyberPatrol techniques
  • Programming, networks and data analytics
  • Cybercrime psychology and investigative methodologies
  • Information security and electronic signals

The course will bring together 15 police force officers from across the region who will engage in 1400 hours of intensive training, combining theory and hands-on exercises in cybercrime investigations, digital forensics and advanced investigative techniques led by experts and instructors from UTT and WB3C. Participants will take the final exam and receive a recognized qualification at the end of the course.

 

 


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Disclaimer: Translations of the original content written in English into other languages are AI generated by Weglot.