23 - 25 April 2025, Constanta, Romania
Practical Strategies for Mitigating AI-Driven Cyber Attacks
About The Course

The "Practical Strategies for Mitigating AI-Driven Cyber Attacks" Course
is organised by the Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence of the Constanta Maritime University
under the aegis of the European Security and Defence College

This is a comprehensive course that equips participants with the essential skills and knowledge to understand, detect, and attribute AI-driven cyber threats. Specifically tailored to address challenges in critical industries and infrastructures, the course offers hands-on activities and workshops designed to replicate real-world scenarios.
The curriculum encompasses a broad range of topics, including AI-driven cyber threats and vulnerabilities, such as AI-enabled GPS spoofing and deepfake threats in critical industries and infrastructures. It also explores defensive techniques against AI-enhanced attacks, with a focus on anomaly detection, AI-based intrusion detection systems, and mitigating social engineering risks.
Furthermore, the course highlights the importance of building organisational resilience through proactive threat hunting, the development of cyber resilience strategies, and an examination of future trends in AI-driven cybersecurity. On the policy side, it addresses key issues such as the AI Act and the European Union’s ambition to assume a leading role in global AI innovation, ensuring participants acquire both technical expertise and strategic understanding in this evolving domain.
Fully Booked !

Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission
Europe has the potential to become one of the leading AI continents, and the European Commission will do its part to make it happen. … AI can be a gift to humanity. But we must make sure that benefits are widespread and accessible to all. We want AI to be a force for good. We want an AI where everyone collaborates and everyone benefits.
The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit
Paris, February 11, 2025
Type of course
Specialised Training
Network
ESDC
Civilian Training Area / Military Training Discipline
Cybersecurity
Training Audience
Civilians, Military
Audience Level
Operational, Political-strategic, Other, Strategic, Tactical
Certification
ESDC Certificate of Attendance
Language
English
Participants
15
Fee
No fee
Programme Director
Training Manager

Gabriel Raicu
Rector, Maritime University of Constanta
President, Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence
Prof Gabriel Raicu is Rector of the Maritime University of Constanta (CMU). He spearheaded the creation of the first-ever maritime cybersecurity simulator and was instrumental in establishing the inaugural maritime sectoral CSIRT. Annually, in collaboration with the European Security and Defense College, he coordinates the BSCySeC#X conference series and the Cyber ETEE Summer School.
Prof Raicu holds a master’s degree in maritime engineering and a doctoral degree in cybernetics. His work in the domains of cybersecurity early warning with applications in the energy industry, the protection of critical maritime infrastructures, and developing cybersecurity infrastructures and logistics has been influential.
In addition to these responsibilities, he is the vice president of the Cybersecurity Cluster of Excellence (CYSCOE), an organisation that brings together businesses, public authorities, and academia to promote cybersecurity’s development and societal integration. Furthermore, he maintains leadership roles in a range of national and international cybersecurity organisations.

Giuseppe Zuffanti
Coordinator for Cyber issues and for the Cyber Education Training Exercise and Evaluation (ETEE) Platform
From October 2020, he is seconded from the Italian National Police of State to the European Security and Defence College (ESDC). He is the ‘Coordinator for Cyber issues and for the Cyber Education Training Exercise and Evaluation (ETEE) Platform’ and his responsibilities cover, among others, the coordination between Cyber ETEE providers. His main goal: contributing to the training programme and conceptual documents, supporting the implementation of ESDC courses with a focus on cyber security/cybercrime/NIS/external relations, cooperating with relevant services in the EU-Institutions, the EEAS and EU Agencies. Furthermore he is the focal point for the ‘European External Action Service Knowledge Management Working Group – Peace, Security and Defence (PSD) lessons process’, responsible for the ‘ESDC internal Lessons Learnt process, annual meetings and Team Building’. Moreover he supports the implementation of the Cyber Defence Policy Framework 2.0 (EEAS is leading). Since 1992 he works for the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs – Department of Public Security – National Police of State. He has worked in various positions and offices in the public order and safety sector of the Police of State, Italy where is also was the Director of the Digital Forensic Lab of Piedmont and Aosta Valley. He has also served as IT manager for informatics security policies at the Immigration Office in Turin. He worked at Postal and Communications Police – Piedmont and Aosta Valley as officer for eight years, preventing and combat Cyber Crime. He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Treatment Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Scientifically Technologies from Computer Science Department of Turin, Italy. He holds the qualifying examination to Computer Science Engineers (state register) from Polytechnic University of Turin and a MSc in Engineering Management of Public Security from University of Naples Federico II, Italy. He is interested in the Artificial Intelligence area and for that reason, he developed his thesis in the area of the Mobile Robots after three years of research under the Lagrange Project, Turin.
Pre-Course e-Learning Modules

AKU 55
The EU Strategic Compass
Mandatory
AKU 105
Cyber Situational Awareness for Decision Makers
Mandatory
Course Schedule
Day 1
23 April 2025, Wednesday
08:30 - 09:00
Registration
09:00 - 10:00
Welcome Address
Dr. Gabriel Raicu, Rector, Constanta Maritime University & President, Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, Romania
Mr. Giuseppe Zuffanti, Coordinator for cyber issues and for the Cyber ETEE Platform – National Expert, European Security and Defence College (ESDC), Brussels
Informal Tour-de-Table and group photo
10:00 - 11:00
Session 1: European Approach to Artificial Intelligence
Lecturer: Dragos Ionica, PhD
Senior Manager, Deloitte
11:00 - 11:20
Coffee break
11:20 - 12:20
Session 2: Overview of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity
Lecturer: Ms Gabriela Matei
Cybersecurity Senior Expert, Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre (E-ARC)
12:20 - 13:20
Session 3: AI-Driven Threats in Critical Industries and Infrastructures
Lecturer: Prof Gabriel Raicu
Rector, Constanta Maritime University
13:20 - 14:30
Lunch break
14:30 - 16:00
Workshop 1: Simulated AI-Driven Phishing Campaign
Lecturer: Ms Alexa Josephs
Cybersecurity Expert, Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate
16:00 - 16:20
Coffee break
16:20 - 17:20
Session 4: Ethical Use of AI and Cybersecurity Standards
Lecturer: Mr Felix Staicu & Mr Mihai Barloiu
Cyber Dacians
17:20 - 17:40
Day 1 Wrap-Up
Day 2
24 April 2025, Thursday
08:30 - 09:00
Registration
09:00 - 10:00
Session 5: AI in action: Detecting and Mitigating AI-Generated Malware
AI Lecturer: Ava Lero
Constanta Maritime University
10:00 - 11:00
Session 6: Defensive AI and Machine Learning for Cybersecurity
Lecturer: Prof Gabriel Raicu
Rector, Constanta Maritime University
11:00 - 11:20
Coffee break
11:20 - 12:20
Session 7: Accelerating AI Innovation in the EU Digital Landscape
Lecturer: Mr Valentin Ene
Cybersecurity Senior Expert, Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre (E-ARC)
12:20 - 12:40
Discussion on Day 2 Topics
12:40 - 13:50
Lunch break
13:50 - 15:20
Workshop 2: Configuring AI-Based Intrusion Detection Systems
Lecturer: Prof Gabriel Raicu
Rector, Constanta Maritime University
15:20 - 15:40
Coffee break
15:40 - 16:40
Session 8: Reducing the Risk of AI-Enhanced Social Engineering
Lecturer: Ms Alexa Josephs
Cybersecurity Expert, Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate
16:40 - 17:00
Day 2 Wrap-up
Day 3
25 April 2025, Friday
08:30 - 09:00
Registration
09:00 - 10:00
Session 9: Proactive Threat Hunting and AI in Cyber Defence
Lecturer: Mr. Matei Anthony Joseph
Founder, HiveHack
Founder, HiveHack
10:00 - 11:00
Session 10: Exploring AI-Driven Approaches in Cybersecurity
Lecturer: MSc Diana-Elena Popescu
MARCYSCOE
11:00 - 11:20
Coffee break
11:20 - 12:20
Session 11: Future of AI in Cybersecurity
Lecturer: Mr. Matei Anthony Joseph
Founder, HiveHack
12:20 - 12:40
Discussion on Day 3 Topics
12:40 - 13:50
Lunch break
13:50 - 15:20
Workshop 3: Developing a Cyber Resilience Strategy
Lecturer: Ms Gabriela Matei
Cybersecurity Senior Expert, Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre (E-ARC)
15:20 - 15:40
Coffee break
15:40 - 16:40
Session 12: Global Cooperation and Competition in AI
Lecturer: Mr Horatiu Garban
MARCYSCOE
16:40 - 17:15
Closing Remarks and Certificate Ceremony
Dr. Gabriel Raicu, Rector, Constanta Maritime University & President, Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, Romania
Mr. Giuseppe Zuffanti, Coordinator for cyber issues and for the Cyber ETEE Platform – National Expert, European Security and Defence College (ESDC), Brussels
About The Event Organiser
The Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence is a leading provider of cybersecurity services and solutions for the maritime industry. MARCYSCOE mission is to enhance the cyber security resilience of the maritime sector through innovative research, expert advice, training, and education.
MARCYSCOE provides a wide range of cybersecurity research training and education to public and private organisations in the maritime industry. MARCYSCOE experts bring together extensive experience and knowledge of the maritime industry and cybersecurity best practices.
MARCYSCOE also collaborate with industry partners, governmental agencies, and other organisations to promote cybersecurity awareness, knowledge-sharing, and innovation in the maritime industry