🌍 ECYBRIDGE Conference: Civilian and Defence Synergy in a Digitalised World 🌍
Taking place on December 3-5, in Constanta, Romania, the ECYBRIDGE Conference dives into the vital intersection of civilian and defence cybersecurity across the EU. Under the theme “Civilian and Defence Synergy in a Digitalised World,” top experts will explore strategies to tackle shared vulnerabilities, leverage dual-use technologies, and strengthen resilience against today’s evolving cyber threats. 🔐
The conference will provide an overview on Europe's need for civil-defence collaboration, Al-driven cybersecurity in hybrid conflicts and integrating civilian-defence cyber policies for a secure future.
💡 InnovX Cybersecurity Day on December 5 offers hands-on showcases, insights into funding for dual-use tech, and an immersive cybersecurity simulation.
This event will bring together leaders in tech, defence, and policy to shape a more cyber-resilient Europe, strengthening our digital landscape to face tomorrow’s challenges.🌐
More details here: https://lnkd.in/gB4QHT2U
Apply here: https://lnkd.in/g5Mxcv3P
Event Schedule
Day 1 | 3 December
Opening Remarks: 09:00 - 09:10
Prof. Gabriel Raicu - Rector, Constanta Maritime University, Romania
Opening Panel: 09:10 - 10:30
The Strategic Imperative of Civilian and Defence Cybersecurity Synergy in a Digitalised Europe
In an era where digital interdependence defines both civilian and defence sectors, achieving cybersecurity synergy across these domains has become a strategic imperative for the EU.
Chairs:
Dr. Niculae Iancu - Vice-President, Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, Romania, ECYBRIDGE Project Coordinator
Prof. Georges Ataya - Academic Director, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Belgium, COcyber Project Research Coordinator
Panellists:
Amb. Lucian Fatu - President, Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre
Mr. Dan Cimpean - The Director, Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate
MajGen Adrian Brinza (TBC) - Commander, Communications and Informatics Command, MoND, Romania
Amb. Timo Koster - Former Ambassador-at-large for Security Policy & Cyber, The Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Former Director for Defence Policy and Capabilities, NATO
Prof. Stavros Stavrou (TBC) - Rector, Open University of Cyprus
Rear Admiral Alecu Toma, Assoc. Prof. Ph.D. (TBC) - Rector, "Mircea cel Batran" Naval Academy
Coffee Break: 10:30 - 10:45
Keynote Speech 1: 10:45 - 11:15
The ESDC's Role in Implementing Cybersecurity Training and Education Programmes and Best Practices in Connecting Civilian and Defence Organisations and Personnel
Mr. Giuseppe Zuffanti - Coordinator for Cyber Issues and the Cyber ETEE Platform, The European Cyber Security and Defence College
Panel 2: 11:30 - 13:00
Shaping EU Cybersecurity Policy through Civilian and Defence Collaboration for a Resilient Digital Future
In the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the EU is compelled to forge a cybersecurity policy that effectively unites civilian and defence capabilities.
Chair:
- Amb. Shota Gvineria - Faculty Member, Baltic Defence College
Panellists:
Dr. Carola Frey - Analyst, Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre
Mr. Iulian Alecu - Strategic Business Developer, Safetech Innovation; Former Deputy General, Director of the Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate
Prof. Georges Ataya - Academic Director, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Belgium
Mr. Velimir Radičević - Program Coordinator, Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE)
Assoc. Prof Veselina Spasova - Faculty Member, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy
Lunch Break: 13:00 - 14:00
Technology Presentation Session 1 (TBD): 14:00 - 14:30
TBD
Technology Presentation Session 2: 14:30 - 15:00
Safetech Interactive Testing and Training Cyber Security Platform
- Mr. Marius Parvu & Mr. Valentin Jurubita
Keynote Speech 2: 15:00 - 15:30
Cybersecurity in hybrid conflict: AI-driven preemptive and predictive cybersecurity
Amb. Timo S. Koster - Former Ambassador-at-Large with a Focus on Security Policy and Cyber, The Netherlands MFA, Nonresident Senior Fellow, the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Coffee Break - 15:30 - 15:45
Panel 3 - 15:45 - 17:15
Empowering Civil-Defence Cybersecurity through Research and Education in the EU
This panel emphasises the pivotal role of education in fostering digital security across the EU. It showcases key initiatives aimed at equipping teachers and students with essential skills for protecting digital identities, managing online presence, and understanding the dynamics of secure information sharing.
Chair:
- Prof. Cdr. Yordan Sivkov, PhD - Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Bulgaria
Panellists:
Prof. Sanja Bauk, PhD - Chair, Maritime Cybersecurity Centre, Estonian Maritime Academy
Assoc. Prof. Iliyan Iliev - Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Bulgaria
Ms. Cecilia Popa - Experts Lead at EU CyberNet
Assoc. Prof. Alexandru Bobe, Ph.D. - Vice-Rector, Ovidius University of Constanta
Eng. Dimitar Dimitrov & D. Nikolov - Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Bulgaria
Keynote Speech 3: 17:15 - 17:45
Towards EU Civilian – Defence Synergy in a Digitalised Europe
- Dr. Niculae Iancu - Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, Romania
Day 2 | 4 December
Panel 4: 09:00 - 10:30
Defence Perspectives on Strengthening Cybersecurity Synergy in the EU
This panel will explore the defence sector’s role in fortifying EU-wide cybersecurity collaboration, focusing on strategic insights that enhance synergy with civilian efforts.
Chair:
- Prof. Ion Roceanu, PhD - Chair of Doctoral School, National Defence University, Romania
Panellists:
MajGen Gheorghe Iordache (TBC) - Commander, Cyber Defence Command, MoND, Romania
Mr. Yavor Todorov - Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Bulgaria on Cyber Security Matters
Prof. Yuliyan Tsonev - Faculty Member, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy
Ms. Elena- Daniela Hrab - PhD Candidate, National Defence University
Coffee Break: 10:30 - 10:45
Keynote Speech 4: 10:45 - 11:15
TBD
Coffee Break: 11:15 - 11:25
Panel 5: 11:25 - 13:00
Securing Critical Infrastructure through EU Cybersecurity Synergy
This panel will explore how European Union member states and their partners can collaborate to strengthen the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure.
Chair:
- Mr. Alexandru Georgescu - Senior Researcher, National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics
Panellists:
Mr. Nikolaos Bardis, Ph.D. - Professor on military applications, Hellenic Army Academy, Department of Mathematics and Engineering Sciences
Mr. Martin Latzenhofer - Senior Research Engineer, Security & Communication Technologies Center for Digital Safety & Security, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Mr. Luca Sambucci - Founder of Gradient Intelligence, Member of the industrial board of the Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence
Ms. Maria Gurau - Expert, Department of Research and Training, Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre
Mr. Zlatogor Minchev (TBC) - Head of IT for Security Department, Institute of ICT, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Lunch Break: 13:00 - 14:00
Technology Presentation Session 3: 14:00 - 14:30
From Detection to Lessons Learned: BSS CERT's Contribution to Effective Incident Response
- Mr. Alexandru Dumitru Mușat - Head of IR and Security Operations, BitSentinel
Technology Presentation Session 4: 14:30 - 15:00
INFILI's AI-Based IDS for Anomaly Detection and Zero-Day Attacks
- Mr. Alexandros Psychas, Ph.D. - Senior Research Engineer, Infili Technologies
Workshop 1: 15:00 - 15:45
Addressing Contemporary Cybersecurity Challenges Across Civilian and Defence Spheres
- Dr. Valeria Popescu - Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate
- Mr. Robert Șandru - Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate
Workshop 2: 15:45 - 16:30
Building a Synergetic Civilian-Defence Cybersecurity Network Across Europe
- Dr. Marilena Jeana Cîmpineanu - Head Research and Education, The Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre
Coffee Break: 16:30 - 16:45
Keynote Speech 5: 16:45 - 17:30 Securing Our Digital Future
- Dr. John McCarthy - CEO, Oxford Systems
Day 3 | 5 December
Keynote Speech 6: 09:30 - 10:00
Accelerating European Cybersecurity Innovation in a Highly Competitive Digital Environment
Keynote Speaker:
- Dr. Daniel Dumitrescu - Chief Innovation Officer, InnovX
Hosted By:
Prof. Gabriel Raicu - Rector, Constanta Maritime University, Romania
Dr. Niculae Iancu - Vice-President, Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence
Panel 6: 10:00 - 10:30
Unifying European Technology Innovation Driven Companies, Talent and Investment for a Dynamic Cybersecurity Innovation Ecosystem
This panel discussion explores how Europe can strengthen its cybersecurity ecosystem by fostering collaboration between technology-driven companies, top talent, and investment. Expert panelists will share insights on bridging public and private sectors to build a unified, innovation-focused ecosystem capable of addressing Europe’s cybersecurity needs in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Chair:
- Mr. Robert Pufan - Sr. Partner Solution Architect - Central Europe, Microsoft Romania
Panellists:
Mr. Ovidiu Pismac - Senior Security Clooud Solution Architect, Microsoft Romania
Mr. John McCarthy - CEO, Oxford Systems, UK
Mr. Andrei Ionita - Regional Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Accounts, Bitdefender
Panel 7: 10:30 - 11:00
Investment Challenges and New Financial Instruments for Accelerating Dual-Use Technologies in E.U. Cybersecurity
This panel highlights the financial challenges and opportunities in developing dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and defence applications. Top investment experts will discuss innovative financial instruments and strategies to support the growth of these technologies, with a focus on driving Europe’s cybersecurity resilience and innovation.
Chair:
- Dr. Daniel Dumitrescu - Chief Innovation Officer, InnovX
Panellists:
Mr. Marton Szoke - Venture Partner, Radix Ventures
Mr. Konstantinos Lafkas - Partner, UniFund
Mr. Suleiman Arabiat - Investment Principal, Elevator Ventures
Showcase of Cyber Tech Innovations: 11:00 - 12:00
This session features live presentations from leading innovators, showcasing cutting-edge solutions across cybersecurity, energy, telecommunications, and Industry 4.0. Attendees will gain insights into transformative technologies that are shaping the future of resilience and security in Europe’s critical infrastructures.
Pioneering Solutions for the Future of Cybersecurity
Moderator:
- Ms Anca Luca - CGO, InnovX
Tech Solutions:
Lasting Software - Mr. Florin Cojocaru - Application Engineer
Kfactory - Mr. Vlad Cazan - CoFounder
Restart Energy - Mr. Valentin Bargau - VP Corporate Operations
Data Privacy Manager - Mr. Marijan Bračić - CoFounder
Fibercon - Ms. Virginia Zetu - Founder
Lunch Break: 12:00 - 13:00
Interactive Cybersecurity Workshop: 13:00 - 16:00
This hands-on cybersecurity simulation will challenge participants to assess resilience against large-scale cyber-attacks on critical infrastructures. Designed for both in-person and online participants from scaleups, mid-caps, and large corporations, this workshop focuses on fostering collaboration across national and international stakeholders to enhance coordinated response strategies. Participants will work in teams to conduct an initial crisis assessment, outline an actionable response plan with a defined timeline, and deliver a findings report that includes their crisis analysis and proposed solutions. This immersive experience will provide invaluable insights into real-world response dynamics, teamwork, and strategic planning in the face of cyber threats.
Special Guest:
- Mr. Adrian Marinescu - Director Technology Consulting, EY
Host:
- Mr. Emanuel Cernat - Managing Partner, Corporate Affairs Strategies
Wrap-Up and Conclusion of the Interactive Session: 16:00 - 16:15
A key deliverable from the workshop/exercise is to develop actionable policy recommendations based on the findings and insights gathered during the simulation
Host:
- Dr. Daniel Dumitrescu - CIO, InnovX
Closing Panel: 16:15 - 17:00
Key Takeaways and Future Directions for the E.U. Civil-Defecne Cybersecurity Synergy
Panellists:
Prof. Gabriel Raicu - Rector, Constanta Maritime University
Dr. Niculae Iancu - VP, Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence
Dr. John McCarthy - CEO, Oxford Systems, UK