Today, November 5, 2025, the second edition of the international cybersecurity conference CyberCon Moldova took place. The event was organized by the National Institute of Innovations in Cybersecurity “Cybercor”, with support from the Foundation for Development and the Innovate Moldova program, funded by Sweden and the United Kingdom, in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization (MDED), the Technical University of Moldova (UTM), and the Cybersecurity Agency (ASC). It brought together experts and representatives from the academic environment of Moldova, Romania, and other European countries.
The official part of the event was opened by Professor Viorel Bostan, PhD, Rector of the Technical University of Moldova, and Eugen Osmochescu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, alongside Michelle Iliev, State Secretary at MDED. They emphasized the importance of collaboration between the academic, governmental, and private sectors to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity resilience.
“UTM embraces its role as a leader in the digital transformation of engineering education and research. In an increasingly interconnected world, international partnerships are key to a secure and innovative future,” stated Rector Viorel Bostan.
In turn, Minister Eugen Osmochescu remarked, “Moldova’s digital transformation is impossible without security. Through collaboration and the exchange of expertise, we can build a solid cybersecurity infrastructure based on trust and innovation.”
During the conference, UTM had the honor of receiving the delegation from NCC RO – Romania’s National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity – led by Director General Ana Maria Busoniu and the Head of the Programs and Projects Department at the Romanian Authority for Digitalization (ADR). In this context, a Collaboration Protocol was signed between UTM, NCC RO, and CYBERCOR.
The purpose of this agreement is to develop and strengthen competencies in cybersecurity, digital research, and innovation through joint projects, knowledge exchange, academic mobility, and modern educational programs.
The protocol outlines the following:
development of university and postgraduate programs focused on cybersecurity;
continuous training for faculty members, students, and industry professionals;
joint research projects on artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure protection, and data analysis;
organization of scientific events and public awareness campaigns;
promotion of a joint Moldova–Romania cybersecurity ecosystem in the European context.
The agreement was signed by Dragoș–Cristian Vlad, President of the Romanian Authority for Digitalization (ADR), Professor Viorel Bostan, PhD, Rector of UTM, and Associate Professor Ludmila Peca, Director of Cybercor.
The conference continued with a series of presentations and themed sessions by international experts: Uriel Kosayev (TrainSec Academy), George Simion (East Wing Legion), Filip Demianiuk (NETSCOUT), Ana Maria Busoniu (NCC-RO), Radu Stănescu (European Cybersecurity Competence Centre), Ludmila Peca (Cybercor), Gabriela Ojog (FAM – Google Initiative), and Mihai Lupașcu (National Cybersecurity Agency).
Topics addressed included cyber resilience, the security of critical infrastructures, academic collaboration, development of digital competencies, and education for the digital future.
Participants also took part in practical Capture the Flag (CTF) exercises and cybersecurity attack simulations in the Cybercor lab, exploring real-world scenarios of data and infrastructure protection.
The BSides Chișinău 2025 event and the signing of the Collaboration Protocol mark a crucial stage in strengthening Moldova–Romania relations in the fields of digitalization and information security.
Through this partnership, UTM and Cybercor, in collaboration with the Romanian Authority for Digitalization (ADR), reaffirm their joint commitment to creating a secure, educated, and innovative digital space, where young professionals have access to cutting-edge technologies and European-level professional training.
