The First National Conference on Cyber Security began today in Zagreb, organized by the National Coordination Center for Industry, Technology, and Research in the Field of Cyber Security (NKS). The event is being held at the National and University Library and has brought together experts from Croatia and Europe to share ideas and knowledge, as well as to jointly find answers to current and future challenges in strengthening cyber security. The conclusion from the first day of the conference is that only through joint action by national coordination centers with the central European one can the cyber security challenges be met, which will be posed in the future to all stakeholders in the global network.
The national coordination centers of European countries are national contact points that provide expertise and actively contribute to the strategic tasks of the Regulation. They promote the relevant work results of the Network, the Community, and the ECCC, which is also the primary task of Croatia's national coordination center (NKS). All national coordination centers collaborate with national authorities and contribute to the promotion and dissemination of educational programs. They promote, encourage, and facilitate the participation of all stakeholders in cross-border projects and European Union program projects, and they also carry out financial support activities for third parties. The NKS already collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, such as representatives from industry, entrepreneurship, and startups, and we will continue this in the future. Maintaining relationships with the academic and research community is very important to us, as they are the drivers of innovation. The public sector, which has specific needs in the area of cybersecurity, is also important to us, and finally – the general public, i.e., households.
The first day of this international conference, organized by the NKS, was dedicated to regulatory frameworks and strategies aimed at strengthening cybersecurity, with leading experts from various sectors sharing their insights. Special attention was drawn to the presentation by Luca Tagliaretti, Executive Director of the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technological and Research Competence Centre (ECCC), who presented European trends and strategies and emphasized the importance of cooperation between national centers and Europe.
I sincerely believe in the importance of National Coordination Centers (NCCs) and the implementation of their activities. No single country or European institution can tackle the challenges ahead of us alone, which is why it is important for us to work together and overcome all potential threats with combined efforts. This conference is not just a formal meeting; it's an opportunity for us to be together in the process of strengthening cybersecurity. I would compare National Coordination Centers to a kind of players who together form a sports team. It is precisely this team, through joint work, that contributes to the improvement of the entire community and a better and safer digital future. We have many challenges ahead of us, so it is important to plan our shared future and find new solutions.
As the envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, Bernard Gršić, participated in the opening of the conference. In his address, he focused on the ultimate goal of the actions of all involved parties when it comes to cybersecurity, which is an organized, accessible, open, and secure Croatian cyberspace.
Besides all the activities being conducted in the process of digital transformation in Croatia, cooperation among European Union member states is of great importance to ensure an accessible, open, and secure cyberspace for Croatian citizens. Security is one of the fundamental issues for every country. Therefore, cybersecurity is also important, as we are increasingly involved in cyberspace today – precisely where various incidents occur that disrupt our security and peace in the digital world. New technologies are no longer a privilege for a select number of users, but are accessible to a wide range of users. Different types of attacks in cyberspace are becoming more sophisticated and complex, affecting our daily lives and businesses, thus it is crucial to raise awareness of potential cyber threats and how to protect ourselves from them.
Special attention in the first panels of the conference was dedicated to the topic of future challenges in the field of cybersecurity, which was discussed by Nataša Glavor, Assistant Director of CARNET for the National CERT, who provided participants with a detailed insight into European trends and various strategies in cybersecurity. The conference proved to be an excellent platform for networking and exchanging best practices with European experts, as experts from European Cybersecurity Competence Centers from Denmark, Germany, Spain, Estonia, and Latvia shared successful practical examples and innovative approaches they are implementing in the field of cybersecurity at the national and global levels.
With inspirational discussions and lectures, this conference is an ideal opportunity for networking and acquiring new skills, which is crucial for the further development and improvement of cybersecurity in Croatia. Over its two-day duration, this conference will bring together around 300 experts from Croatia and abroad, but it is predicted that, thanks to live streaming, the reached number will be even higher.
The second day of the conference will focus on small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, with an emphasis on financing opportunities through EU programs and practical workshops for project applications. A workshop will also be held where participants will have the opportunity to go through the entire project proposal application process, thus concluding the conference's rich program focused on building a safer digital future.
About NKS:
The National Coordination Center for Cyber Security Industry, Technology, and Research (NKS) was established in accordance with the Regulation of the European Parliament and Council, and it is managed by CARNET. NKS plays a key role in strengthening Croatia's capabilities to defend against cyber attacks, promoting participation in EU projects, providing technical support, and ensuring financial support for various stakeholders.
By establishing the NKS, Croatia has become an active participant in the European initiative to strengthen cybersecurity. Croatia's NKS is part of a network of European NCCs, ensuring that our country is an integral part of the European cybersecurity system, with the aim of protecting digital infrastructure and increasing global competitiveness.
