logo UMC EN

 

The Black Sea Cybersecurity 

Conference Series 

 

CYBERCRIME

#2024

Black Sea Cybersecurity Conference Series
_____________________________________________________________

Combating the Cybercrime threats in the current context of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East

21-22 November 2024
Constanta Maritime University

The Black Sea Cybersecurity Conference Series

CYBERCRIME #2024: Where Cybersecurity Meets The Justice – Join the Black Sea Cybersecurity Conference Series’ orbiting event to explore cutting-edge strategies, global collaborations, and groundbreaking insights into combating cybercrime and securing the digital frontier.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EU law on cybercrime

2020: Proposal for Interim Regulation on the processing of personal and other data for the purpose of combatting child sexual abuse

2019: Directive on non-cash payment fraud

  • The directive updates the legal framework, removing obstacles to operational cooperation and enhancing prevention and victims’ assistance, to make law enforcement action against fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment more effective.

2018: Proposals for Regulation and Directive facilitating cross-border access to electronic evidence for criminal investigations

2013: Directive on attacks against information systems

  • The directive aims to tackle large-scale cyber-attacks by requiring EU countries to strengthen national cyber-crime laws and introduce tougher criminal sanctions.

2011: Directive on combating the sexual exploitation of children online and child pornography

  • The directive includes measures that better address new developments in the online environment, such as grooming (offenders posing as children to lure minors for the purpose of sexual abuse).

Excellence in Cybersecurity

About the Event

The geopolitical conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have underscored the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyberattacks, leading to a rise in cybercrime, particularly targeting vital sectors such as energy, finance, and transportation. In this context, the importance of cybersecurity has escalated globally, especially in essential sectors like maritime transport and port infrastructures.

This event will focus on the legal dimensions of cybercrime in conflict zones, with a special emphasis on the regions of Ukraine and the Middle East. 

As armed conflicts become increasingly digitized, there is a growing need for legal frameworks that address cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. Globally, legal systems, both criminal and international, must evolve to handle this emerging form of aggression. The conference, part of the eighth edition of the BlackSea Maritime Cybersecurity series, will bring together cybersecurity experts, government representatives, industry leaders, and researchers from around the world. The event will explore the complexity of cybercrime in these conflict-affected regions and propose concrete solutions and strategies to prevent and combat cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, with a special focus on the maritime sector.

Objectives

  1. Analyze international and national legal frameworks for combating cybercrime, particularly in conflict-affected states, including discussions on international treaties, national legislation, and cooperation measures.
  2. Address cybercrime in the context of armed conflicts: an analysis of how cyberattacks are regulated under international humanitarian law, focusing on the involvement of state and non-state actors.
  3. Protect maritime critical infrastructure and cyber sovereignty: focusing on maritime vulnerabilities and legal gaps in protecting maritime networks and ports, including legal liability aspects.
  4. Human rights and cybersecurity: assessing the impact of cybersecurity measures on human rights, such as privacy, freedom of expression, and data protection.

Key Interest

  1. International legal norms on cybercrime in armed conflicts and the analysis of national legislation in affected states.
  2. Cybercrime in armed conflicts: A deep analysis of cyberattacks in the context of the Ukraine war and Middle Eastern conflicts, including case studies of attacks on critical infrastructures such as energy and port networks.
  3. Maritime infrastructure security: Identifying digital vulnerabilities in maritime and port systems that are increasingly exposed to cyberattacks. Discussions will cover the risks related to the digitalization of maritime operations and communication security.
  4. International cooperation in cybersecurity: Exploring the importance of partnerships between governments, international institutions, NGOs, and the private sector in preventing and combating cyberattacks. Emphasis will be placed on global information and resource sharing.
  5. State and non-state actor responsibility in using cyber operations as a weapon of war: What are the legal boundaries, and what criminal or civil liabilities apply?
  6. Legal tools for prevention and combat: A review of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and other international legal instruments.
  7. International cooperation and law enforcement: The role of Interpol, Europol, and other institutions in combating cross-border cyberattacks during conflicts.

Day 1: 21.11.2024

 

10:15-12:15 Panel 1, Room BNA 203
Moderators:

  • Prof. Dr. Vasile Draghici, “Ovidius” University of Constanța
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. habil. Sorin Alamoreanu, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca

Speakers:

  1. Prof. Dr. Vasile Draghici, “Ovidius” University of Constanța: “The Role of Digital Forensics in Investigating Cybercrime.”
  2. Lawyer Plamen Nikolov (former Chief Prosecutor of Dobrich District Prosecutor’s Office), Dobrich Bar Association, Bulgaria: “Measures Taken by the Republic of Bulgaria to Strengthen Maritime Border Security in the Context of the War in Ukraine.”
  3. Assoc. Prof. Dr. habil. Sorin Alamoreanu, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca;
    Prof. Dr. Maciej Szostak, Wrocław University: “Poland: Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence.”
  4. Expert Alexandru Anghelus, President of CYSCOE Cyber Security Cluster of Excellence: “The Relevance of Identified Artifacts in Investigating Cybercrime Cases.”
____________________________________________________________________

 

13:15-15:15 Panel 2, Room BNA 203
Moderators:

  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petruț Ciobanu, University of Bucharest
  • Lecturer Dr. Remus Jurj, Constanța Maritime University

Speakers:

  1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petruț Ciobanu, University of Bucharest: “Investigating Cybercrimes.”
  2. Lecturer Dr. Remus Jurj, Constanța Maritime University: “Social Engineering Techniques Used by Cybercriminals.”
  3. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivan Toronchuk; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pavlo Krainii, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University: “Cybersecurity as a Component of Ukraine’s National Security Under Conditions of Russian Aggression: Key Threats and Challenges.”
  4. General Liviu Danilă, Associate Lecturer, Constanța Maritime University, “Cybersecurity and Hybrid Threats: Challenges for the Regulatory Framework and Responses to These Threats, as well as the Influence of Disinformation Operations (FIMI) on Security.”

Day 2: 22.11.2024

10:00-12:00 Panel 3, Room BNA 203
Moderators:

  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rahime Erbas, Istanbul University
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mitra Mariana Niță, “Ovidius” University of Constanța

Speakers:

  1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rahime Erbas, Istanbul University: “Cybersecurity Compliance: A Critical Approach.”
  2. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mitra Mariana Niță, “Ovidius” University of Constanța: “Criminological Aspects Regarding the Importance of Preventing and Combating Cybercrime.”
  3. Prosecutor-Inspector Robert Fleckhammer, Judicial Inspection – CSM Bucharest: “International Cooperation in Criminal Matters in the Process of Investigating Cybercrime.”
  4. Daniel Ioniță, Associate Lecturer UMC, Cybersecurity Expert: “Defining Terms in Cybersecurity – Combating Cybercrime”
 
_______________________________________________________
 

13:30-15:30 Panel 4, Room BNA 203
Moderators:

  • Lecturer Dr. Sadac Zafer, “Ovidius” University of Constanța
  • Lecturer Dr. Bogdan Manole Decebal, 1 December 1918 University, Alba Iulia

Speakers:

  1. Lecturer Dr. Bogdan Manole Decebal, 1 December 1918 University, Alba Iulia: “Analyzing Cyberattacks as War Crimes: Legal and Practical Implications in Modern Conflicts.”
  2. Lecturer Dr. Sadac Zafer, “Ovidius” University of Constanța: “Virtual Crime – The War of Innovation vs. Social Defense.”
  3. Pavel Klíma, Metropolitan University Prague, Czech Republic: “Cybercrime – Current Trends in the Czech Republic.”
  4. Student Bogdan Miron, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca: “AI-Driven SOC: Streamlining Threat Detection and Incident Response.”

Venue

Constanta Maritime University

The event will be held in hybrid format at the Nautical Base of Constanta Maritime University.

Address: No. 2 Cuarțului Street, Constanta, Romania, 900504