The exercise also approaches the Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union (NIS 2 Directive) as the cornerstone of European cybersecurity legislation, offering legal provisions designed to strengthen cybersecurity across the EU. Hence, it aims to support The European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection’s (EPCIP) objective of improving the protection of critical infrastructure in Europe by simulating the response to a disruption caused by a cyber-attack.

Through this TTX, the participants will also get an opportunity to understand and apply the EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox principles, which seek to prevent, deter and respond to malicious cyber activities directed against the EU or its member states under the Framework for a Joint EU Diplomatic Response to Malicious Cyber Activities.

Participants will assume various roles as representatives from Romanian authorities and agencies, collaborating with counterparts from other member states, institutions, and the cybersecurity industry, including specialists from the Black Sea Region’s maritime sector. This collaboration aims to enhance the mechanisms and capabilities for working across different domains. Their collective expertise is critical in ensuring that the exercise scenarios, while fictional, provide a realistic representation of the daily threats and challenges in cybersecurity. With their direct experience in managing cyber threats, these professionals will introduce a practical aspect to the exercise, effectively linking theoretical concepts to their application in the real world.

Moreover, the involvement of experts from the cybersecurity industry and the maritime sector of the Black Sea Region will enrich the exercise. Their unique insights will deepen participants’ understanding of how different sectors are interconnected and highlight the significance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in addressing cybersecurity incidents.

With a solid understanding of local infrastructure and the community, local authorities’ representatives will also play a key role in this exercise. Their knowledge will ensure that the exercise considers the unique features of the local landscape, which is essential for any effective incident response plan.

The wide-ranging expertise of these participants, spanning various sectors and areas of specialisation, will add depth and breadth to the exercise, enriching the learning experience for all participants. It also reinforces the underlying message of the exercise: that effective cybersecurity incident response is a collaborative effort that requires the involvement of various stakeholders across multiple domains. Therefore, this exercise is an important initiative to improve readiness, enhance capabilities, and ensure effective and swift response in the event of cyber-attacks in the Black Sea region.