Registration is now open for Cybercrimes, Cyber Threats, and Cybersecurity training

We invite you to participate in our cybersecurity training, which will take place ONLINE on February 25-26 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.

Training duration: 12 academic hours
About the training: The training is designed for employees of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who wish to acquire or enhance their knowledge in the field of cybersecurity. The training is not intended for advanced IT specialists.

Program:
– Introduction
– Theoretical part:
– Cyber threats. Threat statistics, types of incidents, and preventive measures.
– Legal framework. Obligations for businesses under key EU regulations, employee responsibilities, and liabilities.
– Case Study. Practical analysis of real-life cyber incidents affecting SMEs.
– Practical Workshops. Hands-on sessions on identifying and mitigating cybersecurity risks.
– Knowledge Assessment. Interactive testing to consolidate learning outcomes.

About the project:
The EAGLE initiative aims to provide high-level training in digital technologies for SME managers, employees, and job seekers, helping to reduce the digital divide. The project is dedicated to increasing the number of professionals capable of developing and managing digital solutions, strengthening collaboration between SMEs and higher education institutions, and supporting the EU’s digital transformation goals for 2030.

This iteration of the training is organized in collaboration with the CYSSME project, showcasing a perfect synergy between initiatives. Both, EAGLE and CYSSME are contributing to the enhancement of SME cybersecurity resilience.

Registration:
To participate, please complete the registration form at the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/1iJsZneper

Invitation link to the training will be sent out to registered participants. Seats are limited!

We look forward to welcoming you to the training and hope it will help you gain valuable knowledge and skills.

More information about the project: www.projecteagle.eu

Cybersecurity Importance and the CYSSME Project: Insights from the ‘E. State: Lithuania’s Digitalization Progress’ Conference

On November 21, 2024, during the “E. State: Lithuania’s Digitalization Progress” conference organized by Verslo Žinios, Lithuania’s leading business daily, our colleague Evaldas Bružė shared his insights on the pressing issues of cybercrime and the growing need to strengthen cybersecurity in organizations. The event, focused on exploring opportunities, challenges, and collaboration in digital progress, provided a platform for experts to discuss critical topics in the field.

Evaldas highlighted the current cybersecurity landscape in Lithuania and worldwide, drawing attention to the most significant threats faced daily by businesses and public sector organizations alike. He emphasized that the scale and complexity of cyberattacks increase every year, making robust security measures an essential aspect of both digital business operations and personal data protection.

During his presentation, Evaldas introduced the CYSSME project – an innovative initiative designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enhance their cybersecurity maturity. He explained how the project supports organizations in identifying vulnerabilities, assessing potential threat scenarios, and implementing practical solutions to strengthen resilience against cyber threats.

Evaldas also extended an invitation to the conference participants to actively engage with the CYSSME initiative. He underscored that the program offers an excellent opportunity for businesses to not only improve their cybersecurity measures but also enhance their overall digital preparedness. According to him, cybersecurity is not just a technological challenge but a strategic priority for organizations, fostering trust and ensuring smooth operations over the long term.

Evaldas Bružė’s presentation not only attracted significant interest but also sparked constructive discussions on the challenges of cybersecurity and potential solutions. We are proud to have participated in this important conference and to have had the opportunity to present such a critical topic, relevant both to Lithuania and the global digital community. Events like this provide an excellent platform to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and contribute to building a safer digital future.

STARLIGHT Project Presentation at the Innovation Uptake in Policing Conference

On September 19th, 2024, the STARLIGHT project was presented at the Innovation Uptake in Policing conference, held at Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius. The event brought together law enforcement, government officials, and experts to discuss the future of policing technology and innovation adoption.

The conference was officially opened by Agnė Bilotaitė, the Minister of the Interior of Lithuania, and Renatas Požėla, Lithuanian Police Commissioner General, both of whom emphasized the importance of embracing technological advancements to address modern security challenges.

The day unfolded through four key sessions:

  • Session 1: Future Technology Trends in Law Enforcement featured insights from Lithuanian officials and technology experts on emerging trends, such as AI and digital transformation.
  • Session 2: Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Innovations included discussions from defense and security professionals on overcoming the barriers to innovation uptake in law enforcement.
  • Session 3: Application of Artificial Intelligence in Law Enforcement focused on the use of AI tools in crime prevention and operational efficiency, with input from both international and local experts.
  • Session 4: Latest Technologies and Innovations in Law Enforcement, where the STARLIGHT project was presented by Nizar Touleimat (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and Evaldas Bružė (Lithuanian Cybercrime Centre of Excellence). Their presentation highlighted how STARLIGHT is utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance cross-border collaboration, intelligence sharing, and the overall effectiveness of European law enforcement agencies.

The event provided an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, reinforcing the role of innovation in shaping the future of public safety. STARLIGHT is excited to be at the forefront of these advancements, contributing to a safer and more secure Europe.

For more information on the STARLIGHT project, visit starlight-h2020.eu.

CYSSME – empowering SMEs in cybersecurity

On 8th of May 2024, the “Cybersecurity Assurance Opportunities for SMEs” conference was held at Didlaukio g. 55, Vilnius, focusing on the introduction and discussion of the CYSSME initiative. This event specifically targeted the cybersecurity challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

CYSSME, co-funded by the EU, aims to improve SMEs’ cybersecurity maturity levels. L3CE’s role is to assess SMEs, provide necessary information and training to enhance SMEs’ cybersecurity measures. As the central theme of the conference, the project seeks to equip SMEs with the necessary tools and knowledge to defend against cyber threats.

The conference featured in-depth discussions on recognizing and protecting against new cyber dangers, supplemented by expert advice and thorough case studies. It also included comprehensive reviews of current trends in cybersecurity and regulatory updates to ensure attendees are fully aware of the evolving landscape and compliance requirements.

A significant component of the conference was the networking session, aimed at fostering collaboration among SMEs and cybersecurity experts. This session provided an opportunity for attendees to share experiences and discuss best practices in cyber defense.

The conference provided a critical platform for SMEs to gain insights into effective cybersecurity practices and to prepare for the specific challenges they face in the digital era. The project represents a concerted effort to equip SMEs with the necessary resources to safeguard their operations. The upcoming training in June is part of a broader initiative to provide ongoing support and education to SMEs striving to improve their cybersecurity maturity levels.

Overview of the Project EAGLE Conference “Cybersecurity assurance opportunities for SMEs”

On 8th of May 2024, the “Cybersecurity Assurance Opportunities for SMEs” conference was held at Didlaukio g. 55, Vilnius, primarily focused on the introduction and discussion of the Project EAGLE initiative. This event specifically targeted the cybersecurity challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Project EAGLE, co-funded by the EU, aims to support SMEs manpower in covering the gap in digital skills. L3CE’s role is to provide training for enhancing SMEs cybersecurity measures. As the central theme of the conference, the project seeks to equip SMEs with the necessary tools and knowledge to defend against cyber threats.

The conference featured in-depth discussions on recognizing and protecting against new cyber dangers, supplemented by expert advice and thorough case studies. The conference also included comprehensive reviews of current trends in cybersecurity and regulatory updates to ensure attendees are fully aware of the evolving landscape and compliance requirements. L3CE’s course “Cybercrime, Cyberthreats, and Cybersecurity” was introduced aswell. The course is designed to help businesses understand and mitigate the risks posed by cybercrime and be more cyber resilient in general. The first training session was announced for June 18-19, focusing on practical cybersecurity strategies.

A significant component of the conference was the networking session, aimed at fostering collaboration among SMEs and cybersecurity experts. This session provided an opportunity for attendees to share experiences and discuss best practices in cyber defense.

The Project EAGLE conference provided a critical platform for SMEs to gain insights into effective cybersecurity practices and to prepare for the specific challenges they face in the digital arena. The project represents a concerted effort to equip SMEs with the necessary resources to safeguard their operations. The upcoming training in June is part of a broader initiative to provide ongoing support and education to SMEs striving to improve their digital skills.

L3CE at National Cyber Security Forum: NIS2 Directive Adoption

April 10, 2024,  INFOBALT, the largest national association of ICT organizations, organised the highly anticipated “National Cyber Security Forum: NIS2 Directive Adoption”. The event aimed to introduce the NIS2 directive and its adoption perspectives to both the public and private sectors of Lithuania.

The main goal of the forum was to offer insights into the NIS2 directive, shedding light on its implications for various types of organizations. Moreover, the aim was to motivate national stakeholders to kickstart actionable measures immediately following the event.

Additionally, an interactive session was organized to foster discussions specifically focused on enhancing the resilience of both the private and public sectors against cyber attacks.

With an overwhelming response, the conference attracted over 200 participants, showcasing a keen interest in understanding the NIS2 directive and its potential impact on organizational finances, processes and resourses.

In the light of this, L3CE introduced the EU instruments aligned with the goals of the NIS2 Directive, offering support to the most vulnerable segment of business entities, SMEs.

  • The CYSSME www.cyssme.eu project offers targeted assistance, employing an efficient and subsidized approach tailored to the specific cyber challenges and risk profiles faced by small businesses.
  • Meanwhile, the EAGLE www.projecteagle.eu project delivers free training sessions to over 100 SMEs, covering crucial topics such as cybersecurity, cyber threats, and cybercrime.
  • Additionally, DIH4Lithuania www.edih4lt.lt project offers training, educational programs, and digitalization services catered to the industry and SMEs in Western Lithuania.
  • REWIRE www.rewireproject.eu project developed a set of trainings based on ENISA European Cybersecurity Skills Framework and made them available for wider audience.

With over 4000 Lithuanian organizations set to be impacted by the NIS2 directive.  Thus, consolidation of existing tools, initiatives, projects and expertise in the field could significantly help in streamlining this challenging process and minimizing disruptions to business activities.

European money for SME cybersecurity

Leuven, 1 February 2024

The European Commission has incorporated the newly established CYSSME collaboration into its Digital Europe funding programme. CYSSME has been granted a three-year mandate and a substantial subsidy package to aid in enhancing the cybersecurity of European SMEs. CYSSME stands for Cybersecurity and Data Protection for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises.

The CYSSME partners believe that Europe possesses all the technology required to optimally protect SMEs, but there is a lack of awareness and personalised support for these enterprises. In recent years, the number of SMEs affected has doubled annually, according to CYSSME’s initiator, Ulrich Seldeslachts: ‘Research and development are fully established in Europe: there is ample indigenous technology available. But we still need to work on getting these technologies adopted. A one-size-fits-all approach to cyber resilience doesn’t work, and self-assessment by SMEs doesn’t always result in accurate and expert security. We need a more targeted approach with a personalised strategy for each company.’

All security components from Europe

CYSSME has noted that not all companies are digitalising at the same pace, and many SMEs also view cybersecurity as a barrier to digital transformation. CYSSME will therefore individually analyse the cybersecurity and data protection for each SME that requests support in order to examine their needs and requirements. This will be followed by long-term support with customised solutions based on the needs identified.

For this, CYSSME will provide a multi-layered security system that SMEs can then maintain simply and autonomously. Some components have received EU funding and all have been developed in Europe. They are available in a European Cybersecurity app store, which includes open-source and commercial software.

Focus on companies in digital transformation

CYSSME’s focus is on SMEs in the technology, industry, retail and e-commerce sectors – sectors that contribute to successful digital transformations, labour mobility and productivity in Europe. SMEs from other sectors are also welcome, especially in light of the relatively new NIS2 Directive that requires companies in critical sectors to improve their security.

A CYSSME project can start with an intake interview and initial cybersecurity audit by experienced experts. Companies that already know what they want and need straight away are equally well supported with technology and assistance.

A more comprehensive maturity assessment will subsequently serve as the basis for a roadmap and further optimisations. CYSSME will assign a mentor to guide each company, and participating SMEs will receive a plan with all the necessary implementations and interim objectives, as well as ongoing advice, training and knowledge transfer. The aim is to help participating companies become self-sufficient in cybersecurity within 3 to 6 months.

Best practices as a starting point

CYSSME emphasises that each SME will receive a tailored approach, with the experiences being compiled into a series of best practices; recommendations that are evaluated for relevance to each individual company. These detailed recommendations will be made publicly available, even for those not yet participating in CYSSME. CYSSME will ensure that no information is released that could be exploited by hackers to target individual companies.

How to participate in CYSSME

Any SME within the EU may submit an application, which will be assessed by CYSSME. The final selection will be based on the applicant’s needs and sector, and the commitment they are willing to make. CYSSME requires that an SME allocates sufficient time to fully refine its cybersecurity in a short period, and applicants will need to provide certain guarantees in this regard. CYSSME further expects each SME to participate very actively in raising awareness about cybersecurity. Agreements on this are also made in advance.

In principle, companies with more than 250 employees or more than €50 million in consolidated turnover are not eligible for CYSSME. Exceptions may be made for companies that need to comply with the NIS2 Directive.

Up to more than €20,000 grant per SME

European SMEs looking to actively enhance their cybersecurity can receive partial funding for CYSSME’s services. There is a grant budget of around €20,000 available per company or organisation. CYSSME anticipates that this will enable it to offer services to around 300 companies, based on the just over €7 million it has received from European funding.

Any SME that completes the initial phase of a cybersecurity project with CYSSME within six months of starting can receive a grant to fund services for preliminary studies, technology, installation and integration, coaching, training and project documentation. This applies to businesses of all sizes, from micro-enterprises with just a few employees to medium-sized or large organisations.

Companies and organisations can submit an online application for a cybersecurity project via this application form: https://cyssme.eu/getting-started/.

About CYSSME, www.cyssme.eu

Smaller businesses are equally exposed to online threats but have far fewer resources to adequately protect themselves. The European CYSSME project provides assistance with an effective and affordable approach that is fully tailored to each company’s challenges and risk profile. Thanks to CYSSME, participating companies can swiftly identify their security priorities, learn how to mitigate risks, and navigate the online world safely.

This project has been funded by the European Union’s Digital Europe programme under grant agreement 101128101.

The Digital Europe funding programme has entrusted the project coordination to the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), which will collaborate with the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centres (NCCs) of the member states for this purpose.

CYSSME consortium partners are AXS Guard, Better Access, Ceeyu, Cross-Border Commerce Europe, CyberTrust Austria, Exalens, L3CE, LSEC,  Lupasafe, NoCode-X, Toreon, and UNIZO

Contact details

Ulrich Seldeslachts

contact@cyssme.eu

EU-HYBNET’s 3rd Training Session: A Collaborative Leap Forward in Countering Hybrid Threats

Vilnius, January 19, 2024

Marking a significant milestone in the collective effort to safeguard Europe’s security, the EU-HYBNET network recently concluded its 3rd Training Session on January 18-19. This significant event united experts and practitioners from diverse sectors across Europe, underscoring the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration in anticipating and mitigating the multifaceted nature of hybrid threats.

The session was enriched by insightful guest presentations on ‘Content Moderation on Media Platforms,’ offering strategies to maintain integrity in digital communication, ‘Future Development Scenarios,’ providing foresight into evolving security challenges, and a ‘Fresh Look at Hybrid Threats,’ encouraging a reevaluation of current defense frameworks.

Following these thought-provoking discussions, participants engaged in an interactive scenario-based game, a practical and engaging method that sharpened their strategic skills and readiness to tackle hybrid threats. The collaborative nature of the game mirrored the session’s emphasis on the collective effort required to effectively counter these complex challenges.

The event’s agenda delved into four core themes, each addressing a crucial aspect of the hybrid threat landscape. ‘Future Trends of Hybrid Threats’ examined the evolving dynamics of security threats, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies. ‘Cyber & Future Technologies’ highlighted the technological frontiers of defense, acknowledging the growing significance of digital resilience. The ‘Information and Strategic Communication’ theme focused on the power of narratives and the need for robust communication strategies to counter misinformation. Lastly, ‘Resilient Civilians, Local Level National Administration’ underlined the importance of community-level preparedness and the role of local governance in fortifying societal resilience.

The diversity of expertise and perspectives at the 3rd Training Session exemplified the session’s core message: countering hybrid threats requires a unified approach, integrating knowledge and experiences from various sectors. The EU-HYBNET network’s commitment to fostering such an inclusive and proactive environment is not just a response to current challenges but a forward-looking strategy to ensure Europe’s security and resilience in an increasingly complex world.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No883054

Highlights from the GRACE Project’s Final Conference in Madrid

Madrid, November 29-30, 2023

Celebrating a culmination of over three years of dedicated effort, the GRACE project proudly showcased its achievements during the final conference held in Madrid on November 29th and 30th, 2023. The event assembled a diverse audience of professionals eager to witness first-hand the EU-wide platform and tools that have been developed within GRACE to support CSE investigations.

The first day kicked-off with a hands-on Demonstration Workshop, providing a tangible experience for EU Law Enforcement Agencies to explore the platform’s functionalities. This engaging session underscored the practical applications of GRACE in real-world scenarios. The following day was focused on the overview of the GRACE project, spotlighting key milestones and the promising results achieved throughout its lifecycle.

Participants also had the opportunity to interact with the GRACE toolbox, exploring its features and applications.

Beyond its technical aspects, the event served as a networking hub, fostering connections among professionals, research organizations, and policy officers. Moreover, the GRACE final conference facilitated the collection of valuable feedback on the usability of the GRACE toolbox. The collaborative spirit and diverse perspectives shared during the conference contributed to its enriching atmosphere.

L3CE, as a consortium partner and contributor, played a pivotal role in developing a robust data set for Named Entity Recognition and Classification (NERC model) in the Russian language. This noteworthy accomplishment was documented in the publication titled “On Checking Robustness on Named Entity Recognition with Pre-trained Transformers Models.”

In conclusion, the GRACE project’s final conference in Madrid emphasised the pivotal role of innovation in combating crimes against child sexual exploitation.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 883341

FusionSec: Innovating Security for Large Public Events

Introduction – a Football match

On a cool October evening, the S.Darius & S. Girenas football stadium in Kaunas, Lithuania was buzzing with excitement as football fans gathered to witness the thrilling match of the Hungary and Lithuania football teams. Amidst the celebrations, cheers and festive atmosphere that typically accompanies such events, there still exists the potential for violence, threats to safety, and clashes between police and football fans. Hence, the crucial responsibility of safeguarding the event’s security rested with the national police force.

Within this challenging context, the innovative FusionSec technology underwent rigorous testing and validation in an operational setting by the Lithuanian police. This innovation is designed to equip police patrols with the tools needed to be exceptionally well-prepared for managing incidents and achieving security goals.

Facilitating innovations in public space protection

The development of innovation was made possible through the funding of SecurIT (New industrial value chain for Fase, Secure and Resilient cities, and Territories) project funded by EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.

SecurIT supports financially and with other means promising innovations developed by SMEs in three distinct security domains- public space protection, sensitive infrastructure protection and enhancing disaster resilience.

FusionSec (360º multi-force event planning and coordination) idea was proposed by Lithuanian police and implemented by a consortium of two SMEs, UAB Iterato (Lithuania), and Nuuk Technologies SL. (Spain). The project gained recognition of SecurIT Selection Committee, being considered as the promising innovation that effectively addresses up to date challenges in the realm of public space protection.

To guarantee a seamless and all-encompassing innovation development process, Lithuanian Cybercrime Center of Excellence for Training, Research and Education (L3CE), a partner within the SecurIT project, facilitated the collaboration among diverse stakeholders. L3CE involvement included the task of identifying essential gaps and needs critical to the Lithuanian police, guiding and facilitation of every stage of the innovation development process, providing consulting and in-depth analysis of the legal, ethical, and social acceptance aspects that are critical factors in the adoption and integration of the innovation into operational environment.

FusionSec platform

FusionSec is a cutting-edge communication platform for planning and coordination of public events requiring the cooperation of different public safety forces and volunteers as well as citizens. It was specifically designed to integrate various devices for real-time data streaming to command-and-control rooms thereby promoting elevated situational awareness and facilitating a streamlined and effective decision-making process.

It offers an advanced set of features, making it an ideal solution for addressing the complex challenges of public space protection.

The power of collaborative development of solutions

A big part of the success story of FusionSec comes from the close cooperation between the technology development team and the Lithuanian police, allowing the technology providers to gain invaluable insights into internal processes and challenges associated with different aspects of planning and organizing security of public events.

From the outset, the engagement of the Lithuanian police was highly active, emphasizing communication and co-creation between the technology providers and practitioners. This collaborative effort ensured that the technology aligned with the real needs, operational requirements, and expectations of all involved stakeholders.

It’s worth mentioning, that the football game in S. Darius & S.Girenas stadium provided an excellent opportunity to test and facilitate the transition of innovation from the controlled environment of a laboratory to the dynamic real-world context.

The testing and validation of FusionSec platform followed a similar approach, where the technology providers closely shadowed the practitioners, explaining the complexity of how the technology functions. The feedback loop from the police was instrumental in pinpointing the necessary improvements and adjustments, making the solution more mature, user-friendly, and aligned with the internal processes of police.

Success Story

The innovation was developed within an exceptionally short timeframe of just 12 months, starting from the initial idea and culminating in the creation of a functional demonstrator. This rapid development was made possible due to the huge commitment and professionalism of all the involved parties, including UAB Iterato, Nuuk Technologies SL., L3CE and the Lithuanian police.

The technology garnered significant attention from the Latvian police, which made a special visit to observe the technology demonstration.

It is noteworthy to highlight, that the FusionSec platform has already recognized significant market opportunities. Potential users of the FusionSec platform, namely port of Klaipėda, actively participated in a demonstration to acquire a deeper understanding of how this cutting-edge technology can be integrated into their operational endeavors.

What’s next?

Naturally, innovation is now in prototype stage, but the police are considering the potential for a sustained collaboration with the technology provider. Intention is to continue the partnership until the technology attains the requisite level of maturity and is deemed ready for operational deployment.

SecureIT has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101005292. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.