On November 28, 2024, the 4th international meeting under the National Cybersecurity Cluster initiative took place in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. The event brought together key international partners from Ukraine, Slovenia, and the Western Balkans, serving as an important platform for sharing experiences and strengthening international cooperation in the field of cybersecurity.
The event once again highlighted Ukraine’s leading role in the global fight against cyber threats and became a crucial mechanism for developing international collaboration in countering cyber risks, particularly those related to cyber warfare and global challenges in digital security. Ukraine, which has been at the epicenter of cyber warfare for several years, actively shares its experience in resisting aggression from russia, contributing to the strengthening of cybersecurity not only at the national but also at the international level.
During the event, representatives of key Ukrainian state bodies shared lessons learned and practices gained in the fight against cyber aggression. Presentations were made by representatives of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, and the National Bank of Ukraine.
Throughout the panel discussions, several important topics were addressed, including:
- Joint Response to Threats from the East: Cooperation between Ukraine and European countries;
- Practical Steps to Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships in Cybersecurity between Ukraine and the EU.
Key speakers at the event included: Uroš Svete, Director of the Office of Government Information Security of Slovenia; Mykhailo Verych, Regional Director of CRDF Global in Ukraine; Anna Sari, Cybersecurity Expert at the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA); and Gorazd Božič, Head of the Slovenian National CSIRT. In addition, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the National Academy of the Security Service of Ukraine, the University of Maribor, and leading cybersecurity companies and organizations such as CyberLab, the Women’s Leadership and Strategic Initiatives Foundation, the Institute Cyber Warfare Research, Cyber Unit Technologies, Kontron D.O.O., and Viris actively participated in the discussions.
One of the important topics of the meeting was ensuring the cybersecurity resilience of critical infrastructure amid growing hybrid threats in the region. Participants emphasized the need for creating national and international platforms for sharing information about emerging cyber threats and mechanisms for joint responses. The discussions also underscored the importance of developing education and enhancing the qualifications of cybersecurity professionals both nationally and internationally.
Background:
The National Cybersecurity Cluster is a joint initiative established with the participation of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center (NCSCC) as a working body of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF Global) in Ukraine, with support from the U.S. Department of State. Every month, the platform brings together key Ukrainian and international players in the field of cybersecurity and related sectors to provide an immediate response to the current needs of Ukraine’s cybersecurity community, contributing to the development of secure digital infrastructure and fostering cooperation between public and private entities.
