The Newsletter for the EU-HYBNET Project is here.
EU-HYBNET 3rd Annual Workshop, #AW
On 20th of April 2023 in Bucharest, Romania, EU-HYBNET consortium hosted its third Annual Workshop, #AW, with the aim to present the results and findings of the EU-HYBNET project during the past year and to ensure vivid interaction with all hybrid threats stakeholders to assess the feasibility of the project findings and possible recommendations to innovations uptake and standardisation.
Participants talked about cyber-attacks and their harm to economy and society. They also focused on how FIMI and hybrid treats spread, influence perceptions, and relate to national vulnerabilities as well as cultural differences.
As part of the event, EU-HYBNET also invited providers of innovative solutions on security-related topics to present research and/or innovations which could contribute to countering hybrid threats. Their work plays an important role in identifying propaganda and disinformation. Participants also discussed topics related to fake news and the role of police forces in countering hybrid treats. Interesting tools that can help to build awareness and resilience were presented.
During the panel, experts from European External Action Service & Europol joined the consortium to share their experience in countering hybrid treats.
For further information on EU-HYBNET please visit project website or follow the project through Twitter and LinkedIn.
EU-HYBNET 3rd Future Trends Workshop, #FTW
On 19th of April 2023 EU-HYBNET Future Trends Workshop, #FTW2023, took place in Bucharest, Romania. The topic of this workshop’s was – “Hybrid Threats in the EU Neighbourhood – Implications for the future of EU security”.
Recent events in the EU neighbourhood have brought into attention a complex dynamic of adversarial tools and strategies involving weaponization of information, technology, cyberspace, critical infrastructure, energy, in an intricate pattern aimed to weaken cohesion and generate polarisation across the EU and its neighbourhood.
The purpose of the workshop is to support stakeholders’ everyday work by providing a future outlook for strategic planning and consider the consequences of today’s policy choices in long-term.
During the workshop experts discussed current and future hybrid treats as well as solutions for practitioners. Discussion panels focused mainly on disinformation, cyber treats, and societal resilience as a defence to hybrid warfare.
Experts also debated about several manifestations of hybrid treats. Undoubtedly the weaponization of information, technologies, critical infrastructures, and CBRN materials has intensified, and paying more attention is crucial. It was highlighted that concrete actions, training & exercise should be taken, to build a resilient society. All agreed that the key to fighting the hybrid treats is the involvement of the public.
Participants also discussed the importance of the Arctic and the necessity to focus more on this strategic region for EU and NATO as it is already being targeted by hybrid treats.
For further information on EU-HYBNET please visit project website or follow the project through Twitter and LinkedIn.
EU-HYBNET held its 3rd Gaps and Needs Event, #GN2023
On the 28th of March 2023, the EU-HYBNET consortium held its 3rd Gaps and Needs event in Rome, Italy, and officially kicked-off its 3rd project cycle.
Consortium and network members joined the discussion to define pan-European practitioners’ and other relevant actors’ (industry, academia, NGOs) gaps and needs to counter hybrid threats. The discussion revolved around three of the project’s four core themes:
• Cyber and Future Technologies
• Information and Strategic Communication
• Resilient Civilians, Local Level, National Administration
with Future Trends being an overarching theme.
Participants were divided into 3 smaller groups according to the core theme of their interest to allow for active participation and discussion. During these sessions, they were able to share their experiences in the field and brainstorm on existing threats, risks and trends and consequently identify a long list of gaps and needs.
Similar to previous cycles, the results of these discussions will now be analysed by EU-HYBNET partners and used to develop a shortlist of gaps and needs that will then drive the mapping of innovations undertaken by the project in its 3rd cycle. Upcoming EU-HYBNET events will also collect stakeholders’ feedback based on this assessment.
Project partners UCSC hosted the event and Hybrid CoE organized the discussions and methodology.
Gaps and Needs events are only open to the EU-HYBNET consortium and network.
We welcome the feedback of additional practitioners and look forward to welcoming them into our network, among other hybrid threats stakeholders. The next Gaps and Needs event will be held in Spring 2024.
If you are interested in joining EU-HYBNET’s network, you can read the associated information and apply on the project’s website. For further information on EU-HYBNET, you can follow the project through Twitter and LinkedIn.
STARLIGHT General Assembly in San Sebastian, March 2023
L3CE, as a coordinator of STARLIGHT co-development cycle dedicated for detection of misinformation, together with Belgium Police, delivered a presentation in the General Assembly of STARLIGHT in San Sebastian (Spain), in the end of March 2023. It discussed the progress that has been made in the development of tools for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) for investigating misinformation crimes.
The co-development cycle is deeply engaging collaborative process that brings together LEAs, technology providers, and other stakeholders to develop tools and solutions that can be used to detect and investigate misinformation. Belgium police reflected on their experience in the co-dev cycle:
- New experience for police. This model helps to energize and deeply engage police representatives, and provides opportunity for very dynamic and productive work with technology providers.
- Real-life use case scenarios provided by LEAs are extremely helpful for producing relevant and engaging process. Practical scenarios helped to understand the relevance of the tools and how the tools could be used in practical settings.
- After several discussions, LEA is capable to make informed decisions selecting best fit technologies that can be used in their work.
- ELSA (Ethics, Legal, and Social Aspects) play a hugely important role in the work of the police. Co-development cycles provide an opportunity to have in-dept discussion of how specific tools would impact ELSA considerations.
These indications once again confirm that collaborative frameworks have huge potential for innovation uptake. They require preparation and skills to be used, but bring significant benefits in deeper engagement and higher quality of outcomes.
More about STARLIGHT project please read in the project website: https://www.starlight-h2020.eu/.
More about General assembly in San Sebastian: here.
L3CE is also coordinating STARLIGHT task Multi-modal project awareness campaign for LEAs, Public, Civil society and EC services. If you in your professional capacity, or your organization would like to be informed about STARLIGHT progress, or involved in the activities, please contact us at info@l3ce.eu.
E-mail: starlight@cea.fr
Linkedin: starlight_h2020
Twitter: @starlight_h2020
© 2021 STARLIGHT Project
Experts gather to assist in creating Cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention courses
The Cybersecurity & Cybercrime Focus Group meeting on April 17th, hosted as part of the EAGLE project, gathered experts to discuss the development of cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention courses for SMEs in Lithuania. The focus group addressed the key issues and challenges surrounding the development of effective courses.
Read more here.
L3CE expert in ENISA Ad Hoc Working Group on European Cybersecurity Skills Framework
We are happy and proud to announce that in the end of March 2023 L3CE (Lithuanian Cybercrime Center of Excellence for Training, Research and Education) expert Edmundas Piesarskas has been appointed as member of ENISA Ad Hoc Working Group (AHWG) on European Cybersecurity Skills Framework (ECSF) for upcoming 2 years.
The aim of the ENISA (European Agency for Cybersecurity) AHWG on ECSF was to develop the initial well structured European framework for relevant tasks, skills and knowledge required in cybersecurity. Initial results of the ADWH were presented in September 2022. L3CE expert Edmundas Piesarskas was an active member of the group. After the ECSF was well received by different stakeholders, ENISA decided to initiate new AHWG with more focus on active deployment of the Framework. L3CE is also present in the second AHWG, as our representative was appointed again as a member of the group. We are glad that competence present in our organization is recognised by EU level organization and Lithuania is presented in important initiatives shaping EU cybersecurity landscape. Best luck to Edmundas!
Launch of EAGLE project
On the 2-3rd of February, 2023 a project EAGLE aimed at addressing the specific skills gaps faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in EU was launched. The project, called “CovEring the trAining Gap in digital skills for European SMEs manpower” (EAGLE), is designed to help SMEs adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape and ensure they have the skilled workforce needed to compete and thrive in the global economy.
According to the recent data, more than half of European SMEs lack the digital skills necessary to grow and innovate. This is a significant barrier to success, as digitalization is increasingly becoming a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness.
To address this challenge, the EAGLE project will develop targeted training courses to support to SMEs in closing the gap of existing skills in specific technology areas of:
•Robotics,
•Data analytics and ethical AI,
•Blockchain technology and blockchain in finance,
•Cybercrime, cyberthreats and cybersecurity,
•Intersection of energy and technological systems.
The EAGLE project consortium includes universities, business associations and SME’s. Focus of the project will be on establishing sustainable links between academia and small business representatives, so that academia could respond to the challenges and needs of SME’s. The project is funded by the European Union’s the Digital Europe Programme.
The EAGLE project will enhance existing training courses of consortium members with holistic approach, broader methodological support and enhanced training material and tools. Leveraging existing investments will allow delivery on ambitious timeline. Overall, 6 training courses will be launched based on surveys of SME’s skill needs, thus providing relevant upskilling/reskilling means for the market. They will be promoted on Digital Skills and Jobs Platform. Project will develop a methodology for identification of gaps, designing relevant courses, quality assurance and accreditation.
Project will extend for 36 months, enrolment to courses will be opened in spring 2024.
FOR INTERESTED PARTIES:
Private persons who are interested in upskilling/reskilling opportunities (job seekers, one’s willing to explore other career paths) please register to receive information on the launch of courses, training opportunities.
Business associations of SME’s, SMEs themselves, please register your interest with the project EAGLE to participate in surveys of needs, enrolling employees to training courses and evaluation process.
The project aims to facilitate female engagement in aforementioned technology areas. NGO’s and other organizations looking for ways to attracting women to technology sectors. Thus, EAGLE is a relevant platform to discuss modalities of collaboration.
Institutions of higher education having interest in developing and delivering courses to address skill gaps of SME’s, please register with EAGLE to participate in development and distribution of training courses.
PROJECT CONSORTIUM:
The EAGLE project is run by consortium from Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Spain, representing Academia, Centers of Excellence, Business Associations and Digital Innovation Hubs and SMEs.
Higher Education Institutions:
•Universidad de Burgos (UBU) (Spain)
•Univerzita Mateja Bela (UMB) (Slovakia)
•Technical University of Ostrava (VSB) (Czech Republic)
•University of Limerick (UL) (Ireland)
•Turku University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
Center of Excellence:
Lithuanian Cybercrime Center of Excellence for Training, Research & Education (L3CE)
SME:
Vernian RTI (Cyprus)
Business Associations and Digital Innovation Hubs:
•Confederación de Asociaciones Empresariales de Burgos (FAE)
•Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SOPK)
•Skillnet Ireland
•Asociación Digital Innovation Hub Industry 4.0 (DIHBU)
EAGLE has a duration of 36 months, starting from the 1st of January 2023, and a total budget of 2.28 million euros, of which 1.28 million euros funded by the European Union.
More information:
EAGLE website: https://www.projecteagle.eu/
Social media: Twitter and LinkedIn
Contact: info@projecteagle.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) under grant agreement No 101100660. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Invitation to Webinar: SecurIT 2nd Open Call Launch Event
Date, time: 9 January 2023 13:00 – 14:00 CET
L3CE together with European security clusters SAFE, LSEC, SCS, SYSTEMATIC, CenSec and HSD implements SecurIT project aimed to boost innovations in Cybersecurity and strengthen the EU’s capacity to be better prepared and counter more efficiently cyber-threats and incidents.
The project is financing 3.5 million EUR from the European Commission to innovative Cyber Security solutions created by SMEs, which further can be tested and validated with potential integrators or public authorities’ end-users.
SecurIT will select up to 21 projects per Open Call aiming to develop new prototypes or demonstrators with support from SecurIT consortium.
The funding distribution:
– Prototype – 74 000 EUR
– Demonstrator – 88 000 EUR
During the live webinar, we will introduce the Open Call priorities, explain how this financing instrument is organized, how to find potential partners, what are the next milestones and how to prepare a successful application.
More information on SecurIT you can find here.
If you have any questions, please contact ruta@l3ce.eu.
