A historic moment for the Technical University of Moldova and an important milestone for the Republic of Moldova – the ‘Cybercor’ National Institute of Cybersecurity Innovations, an institute for innovation and excellence in cybersecurity education, was finally launched. ‘Cybercor’ is dedicated to the professional development of public officials and students, strategically preparing the country to address challenges specific to the cybersecurity sector.
“Moldova Cybersecurity Forum 2024” gathered more than 500 individuals, including cybersecurity experts, government officials, and anyone interested in cybersecurity. The participants were greeted by Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Dorin Recean, a strong advocate of the importance of cybersecurity. The forum was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, Dumitru Alaiba, who highlighted the government’s establishment of two pivotal institutions – the National Cybersecurity Agency and the ‘Cybercor’ National Institute of Cybersecurity Innovations. According to Mr. Alaiba, these initiatives represent a substantial progress for Moldova, as their implementation is essential to mitigating risks and security incidents.
Professor Viorel Bostan, the Rector of UTM, expressed gratitude to all the partners involved in strengthening the new center. Mr. Bostan declared that the institution plays a crucial role in ensuring national cybersecurity and catalyzing socio-economic changes towards a more secure cyberspace. The center is a key component of the ongoing infrastructure development in Moldova, as noted by the Rector.
By establishing the ‘Cybercor’ National Institute of Cybersecurity Innovations and enhancing the curriculum in the field of cybersecurity, the Technical University of Moldova aims to ensure that everyone receives adequate training in this vital field, thus contributing to the evolution of a secure digital environment and the fortification of a Cyber-Healthy Nation.
The Moldova Cybersecurity Forum 2024 stood as an eminent symposium, bringing together cybersecurity enthusiasts, top experts, and cybersecurity professionals from both Moldova and abroad. The event facilitated the identification of best practices and formulation of effective cybersecurity strategies, contributing significantly to the enhancement of our nation’s position in this field.
The event’s agenda featured a comprehensive program: panel discussions, presentations by international speakers, and interactive networking sessions. The topics covered included the announcement of critical infrastructure sectors, showcasing innovative and relevant use cases, as well as valuable lessons learned. Additionally, there was a regional focus on the challenges specific to the Republic of Moldova, discussions on DDoS attacks, disinformation, StratCom capabilities, and the importance of cybersecurity education.
The event unfolded as a hands-on experience, with insights from top experts on proficiently incorporating the latest cybersecurity standards, recommendations, prevention methods against cyber attacks, and effective counteraction tools.
Dr. Dinu Țurcanu, Assoc. Prof., Vice-Rector for Digitalization at UTM, and Strategic Coordinator of the ‘Cybercor’ National Institute of Cybersecurity Innovations, moderated the panel titled “Where Does Cybersecurity Education Begin?”. With illustrative examples tailored for a broader audience, Dr. Țurcanu noted that impactful changes come solely through education. In this case, the new dimension is focused on existence within the online environment.
As cybersecurity is not merely about defense but also about fostering a resilient digital ecosystem, promoting innovation, and strengthening the IT sector as a cornerstone of Moldova’s economy, authorities and industry experts were urged to focus on implementing proactive strategies adapted to the current digital challenges.
The Forum served as an excellent opportunity to stay abreast of the latest advances in the state’s cybersecurity, engage in discussions with industry experts, and develop collaboration with fellow professionals in the cybersecurity domain.
UTM, through its proactive role, reaffirms the importance of adopting a forward-thinking approach to digital security. By actively contributing to the establishment of an open and safe cyberspace, UTM is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of cybersecurity, contributing towards a country that is democratic, prosperous, and secure.
The event is organized by the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization under the auspices of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Technical University of Moldova, with the support of USAID, the Embassies of Sweden and the United Kingdom in Chisinau, as well as the EU Partnership Mission and e-Governance Academy.