Beyond Borders Conference 2024. Tackling Emerging Cyber Challenges Together

SOCCER Project: Advancing Cybersecurity Collaboration
Our participation focused on representing the SOCCER Project, dedicated to fortifying the cybersecurity capabilities and resilience of the EU, with a paramount focus on ensuring a cyber-secure academia sector. Specifically tailored for CEE countries, the initiative aims to support the establishment and advancement of Security Operations Centres (SOCs) within Universities and Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs). (More about project).

In the session titled "Cybercrime: Best Practices from Public/Private Collaboration", key experts, including Christina Schindlauer from Europol and Matthijs Jaspers from the Dutch National Police, shared practical insights on improving information sharing between governments and the private sector. This session aligned perfectly with the goals of the SOCCER Project, underscoring the importance of trust and collaboration to effectively combat cybercrime.

Highlights from Key Sessions
The Beyond Borders Conference offered an invaluable platform for exchanging ideas on various cutting-edge topics. Some key highlights included:

• Cyber Threat Landscape Insights: Sandra Joyce, VP of Google Threat Intelligence, delivered a powerful keynote on the rapidly evolving global cyber threat landscape. Her session emphasized how AI and machine learning are being used both by defenders and cybercriminals, pointing to the importance of continuous innovation in cyber defense – a critical focus of the SOCCER Project.
• Ransomware Defense and Public Safety: In a session focused on ransomware, experts discussed the Melissa Project, a public-private initiative aimed at making the Netherlands less attractive for ransomware attacks. This project resonated with the SOCCER Project’s goals of creating a more resilient cybersecurity infrastructure across Europe.
• SIM Swapping and Digital Identity: One of the most personal and impactful stories came from Rebecca Gibergues, who shared her experience of falling victim to a SIM swap attack. Her journey of transitioning into cybersecurity afterward was a powerful reminder of the importance of securing digital identities, a core concern for the broader cybersecurity community.
• Social Engineering and Human Factors: Meri Roboci highlighted the critical role of understanding human behavior in preventing social engineering attacks. She emphasized how AI is being leveraged to exploit human vulnerabilities, making it crucial to address both the technical and psychological aspects of cybersecurity – a dual approach that the SOCCER Project integrates into its research and methodologies.
• Talent Development: Road2Cyber Initiative: Arnaud de Vibraye introduced the Road2Cyber initiative, an exciting platform designed to bridge the talent gap in cybersecurity by providing continuous learning opportunities, upskilling, and recruitment support. This initiative dovetails with the SOCCER Project’s commitment to developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and fostering diversity within the industry.
• Hack the Hague: On Monday 30 September 2024, the municipality of The Hague organised the hacking competition Hâck The Hague for the sixth time. In the city hall on the Spui, 40 specialised ethical hackers challenged to find vulnerabilities in the municipality's operational technology. As an international city of Peace & Justice, cybersecurity is very important to the municipality of The Hague. With regular internal audits, they continuously work on their digital security and resilience against cyber attacks. Jeroen Schipper (CISO of the Year in the Netherlands) and Lillian Knippenberg (Coordinating Information Security Advisor & Deputy CISO, Municipality of The Hague) had a great presentation and talked about the behind-the-scenes of the event. 

The Role of Diversity in Cybersecurity
Diversity was a central theme throughout the conference, reinforcing that a diverse workforce is essential for innovation and success in cybersecurity. Sandra Joyce’s keynote on "The Importance of Diversity in Cybersecurity" discussed how cognitive biases can hinder problem-solving and decision-making, particularly in industries like cybersecurity that require a wide range of perspectives to address complex threats.

Additionally, the panel on "The Business Case for Diversity" featured experts from Microsoft, Siemens, and other leading organizations, who discussed how diverse teams lead to more innovative solutions, better decision-making, and enhanced problem-solving capabilities. These discussions were in line with the AGH Cybersecurity Centre’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the field, ensuring that cybersecurity solutions are informed by a variety of perspectives.

Networking and Collaboration in The Hague
The Hague, often referred to as the international city of peace and justice, has also become a major hub for cybersecurity expertise. The city is home to globally recognized institutions such as Europol's European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI), and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The Beyond Borders Conference benefited greatly from the unique cybersecurity ecosystem present in The Hague, facilitating high-level networking and collaboration opportunities.

The event also aligned with Cybersecurity Week, a dedicated week of events held annually in The Hague to promote knowledge-sharing, innovation, and cooperation in cybersecurity. This dynamic environment provided a rich backdrop for meaningful discussions on the future of digital security, public-private partnerships, and the integration of AI into cybersecurity strategies.

Conclusion: A Vision for the Future
The Beyond Borders Conference 2024 was an enriching experience. It reaffirmed the importance of international collaboration, the sharing of best practices, and the development of diverse talent in tackling the growing cyber threats of today and tomorrow. The role of the SOCCER Project in advancing cybersecurity collaboration across Europe was highlighted throughout the event by Anna Maria Trawińska, underscoring the necessity of cooperation between governments, private enterprises, and academia to build a safer digital future.

As we move forward, the lessons and insights gained from this conference will continue to inform our work, driving forward our mission of fostering innovation, collaboration, and diversity in cybersecurity.