The Black Sea Cybersecurity
Conference Series
CYBERCRIME
#2026
Black Sea Cybersecurity Conference Series
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Challenges regarding combating cybercrime
in the context of hybrid warfare in the Black Sea region
in the context of hybrid warfare in the Black Sea region
19 - 20 November 2026
Constanta Maritime University
The Black Sea Cybersecurity Conference Series
CYBERCRIME #2026: Where Cybersecurity Meets The Justice – Join the Black Sea Cybersecurity Conference Series
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Cybercrime and Hybrid Threats in the Black Sea Region
On 19–20 November 2026, Constanța Maritime University, in collaboration with Ovidius University of Constanța, will host the international conference “Challenges Regarding Combating Cybercrime in the Context of Hybrid Warfare in the Black Sea Region”, under the umbrella of Black Sea Cybersecurity Conferences. Bringing together academics, legal practitioners, cybersecurity specialists and institutional representatives, the event will explore the intersection of cybercrime, hybrid threats and maritime security, with a focus on protecting societies and critical infrastructure across the region.
Excellence in Cybersecurity
Strengthening Cooperation and Regional Resilience
Hosted at Constanța Maritime University’s Nautical Base, the conference will provide a forum for exchanging research, sharing operational experience and developing cooperation across disciplines and national borders. Alongside its scientific sessions and contributions from emerging researchers, the programme includes a practical activity involving MARCYSCOE experts in cooperation with the Romanian Coast Guard. By connecting academic knowledge, legal practice and operational expertise, the event aims to strengthen the collective capacity to prevent, investigate and respond to cybercrime in the Black Sea region and beyond.
Connecting Law, Technology and Investigation
The conference will examine how technological change is reshaping both criminal activity and the capacity to investigate it. Key topics include artificial intelligence, deepfakes and synthetic identities, cryptocurrency tracing, digital forensics and cross-border access to electronic evidence. Discussions will connect technical expertise with criminal law, international judicial cooperation and procedural safeguards, addressing a central challenge: how to investigate and counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats while preserving the integrity of evidence and protecting fundamental rights.
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.
Maritime Security in a Connected World
The maritime sector brings a distinctive perspective to the conference, linking cybercrime investigations with the safety of navigation, port operations and the protection of the marine environment. Sessions will explore criminal liability arising from cyberattacks and maritime accidents, the illegal interception of data transmissions and the wider consequences of hybrid operations at sea. These discussions will highlight the need for coordinated legal and technical responses to incidents whose effects can extend from digital systems to vessels, coastal communities and essential maritime services.
Objectives
- Analyze international and national legal frameworks for combating cybercrime, particularly in conflict-affected states, including discussions on international treaties, national legislation, and cooperation measures.
- 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.
- Protect maritime critical infrastructure and cyber sovereignty: focusing on maritime vulnerabilities and legal gaps in protecting maritime networks and ports, including legal liability aspects.
- Human rights and cybersecurity: assessing the impact of cybersecurity measures on human rights, such as privacy, freedom of expression, and data protection.
Key Interest
- International legal norms on cybercrime in armed conflicts and the analysis of national legislation in affected states.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- Legal tools for prevention and combat: A review of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and other international legal instruments.
- International cooperation and law enforcement: The role of Interpol, Europol, and other institutions in combating cross-border cyberattacks during conflicts.
Scientific Sessions – Programme
Wednesday 18.11.2026
16:00 – 18:00 Participants arrival
18:30 Welcome Dinner
Day 1: Thursday 19.11.2026
8:30 – 9:00 Registration
9:00 – 09:30 Opening messages, Room BNA 203 – Nautical Base of CMU
Moderator
· Prof. dr. eng. Remus Zăgan, President of the Senate, Constanta Maritime University
Speakers:
1. Assoc. Prof. dr. habil. eng. Gabriel Mărgărit Raicu, Rector of Constanta Maritime University
2. Assoc. Prof. dr. Dan Marcel Iliescu, Rector of ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
3. Prof. dr. habil. Adrian Stoica, Dean of Law and Adminitrative Sciences Faculty, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
4. Rear Admiral Cojocaru Cornel, Romanian Fleet Commander
5. Associate Prof. PhD. Eng. Toma Alecu Commanding Officer (Rector), Flotilla Rear Admiral, “Mircea cel Batran” Naval Academy, Constanța
6. Dan Alexandru Catană, Director General of the Romanian Naval Authority
7. Chief Inspector Alexandru Oae, Head of Romanian Coast Guard, Constanta
09:30 – 11:00 Panel 1, Room BNA 203, Nautical Base of CMU
Moderators:
· Prof. dr. Vasile Draghici, “Ovidius” University, Constanța
· Assoc. Prof. dr. habil. Sorin Alamoreanu, “Ovidius” University, Constanta
Speakers:
1. Prof. dr. Vasile Draghici, “Ovidius” University, Constanța
“The IP-account-person chain in cloud and VPN investigations”
2. Lawyer Plamen Nikolov, Dobrich Bar Association, Bulgaria
“Changes to Bulgaria’s maritime border resulting from the new stage of the war in Ukraine. The impact of this war on maritime crime”
3. Assoc. Prof. dr. habil. Sorin Alamoreanu, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
Scientific Researcher dr. Purdea Claudiu, ”1 Decembrie 1918” University, Alba Iulia
“The Usefulness of AI in the Online Monitoring of Transactions Involving Illicitly Obtained Artifacts”
4. Dr. Marisa Aloia, Italian Graphological Association (A.G.I.)
“Digital Agenda – AI Does Not Understand Our Heart, but It Pretends Very Well” (on line)
5. Pavlo Krainii, PhD, Assoc. Prof. ”Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi” National University, Ukraine,
Ivan Toronchuck, PhD, Assoc. Prof. ”Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi” National University, Ukraine
“The Impact of Special Legal Regimes on the Development of AI: The Experience of Israel and Ukraine” (on line)
6. Assoc. Prof. habil. dr. eng. Radu Ioan Hanzu-Pazara, Constanta Maritime University
”Emerging Challenges in Cybercrime Forensics: The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Activities” (on line)
11:00 – 11:15 – Coffee break
11:15 – 13:00 Panel 2, Room BNA 203 Nautical Base of CMU
Moderators:
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Petruț Ciobanu, University of Bucharest
· Lecturer dr. Remus Jurj, Constanta Maritime University
Speakers:
1. Lecturer dr. Remus Jurj, Constanța Maritime University
“Tracing cryptocurrencies as evidence in criminal proceedings”
2. Assoc. Prof. dr. Petruț Ciobanu, University of Bucharest
Lawyer Elena Eliza Hodan, Bucharest Bar Association, Romania
“Investigation of Cybercrime”
3. Svitlana Karvatska, LL.D. Prof. ”Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi” National University, Ukraine
“International Law in the Era of Cyber threats: Towards the Development of a Global Legal Framework for Cybersecurity ” (on line)
4. Assoc. Prof. dr. Miheş Cristian, University of Oradea
” Considerations on the Prevention of Cyber Fraud Perpetrated Against Elderly Persons” (on line)
5. Assoc. Prof. Nicolae Grofu, President of the Romanian Association of Penal Sciences; President of the Criminal Law Section of the Romanian Academy of Legal Sciences; Associate Researcher at the Institute for Legal Research of the Romanian Academy
” Some Reflections on the Use of Digital Searches as an Evidentiary Procedure in Combating Cybercrime”
6. Arian Muçaj, Prosecutor, Prosecution Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction, Albania
”AI and Mens Rea Can an algorithm be a criminal? Cases from around the world compared with the Albanian Criminal Code” (on line)
7. Lecturer dr. Vasile Vidrighin, „Lucian Blaga” University, Sibiu
” Cross-Border Acquisition of Electronic Evidence in Cybercrime Investigations Between the Requirements of International Judicial Cooperation and the Rigours of Forensic Methodology”
13:00 -13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 16:00 Panel 3, Room BNA 203 Nautical Base of CMU
Moderators:
· Assoc. Prof. Nicolae Grofu, President of the Romanian Association of Penal Sciences; President of the Criminal Law Section of the Romanian Academy of Legal Sciences; Associate Researcher at the Institute for Legal Research of the Romanian Academy
· Assoc.Prof. Phd. Franț Elena Ancuța, ”Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iași
Speakers:
1. Dr. Olga Cataraga, Phd, Director of the National Center for Judicial Expertise, Ministry of Justice, Moldova
Piotr Petcovici, Deputy Director of the National Center for Judicial Expertise, Ministry of Justice, Moldova
” The quality and validity of evidence through forensic expertise: from the individual competence of the expert to institutional quality assurance”
2. Assoc. Prof. Phd. Franț Elena Ancuța, ”Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iasi
„ The Value of Open-Source Information in the Forensic Investigation of Hybrid Operations”
3. Prosecutor Deputy Chief Inspector Robert Fleckhammer, Judicial Inspection Directorate, Romania
“Cyberattacks aimed at disrupting or rendering critical information systems inoperable”
4. Nicolae Lefter, National Center for Judicial Expertise, Ministry of Justice, Moldova
Victoria Prisacaru, Forensic Expert, National Anticorruption Center, Chișinău, Moldova
”Digital Forensic Expertise in the Investigation of Cross-Border Cybercrime in the Black Sea Region: Challenges Regarding the Integrity, Traceability, and Evidentiary Value of Electronic Evidence”
5. Legal Counsel Elena Drăghici, Romanian Naval Authority
”Theoretical and Practical Considerations Regarding the Offense of Illegal Interception of Computer Data Transmissions in the Context of Hybrid Warfare in the Black Sea Region”
6. Iosif Bencze, expert MARCYSCOE, Constanta Maritime University
“The Transformation of the Security Environment in the Black Sea: From Multi-Domain Confrontation to the Protection of Romania’s Strategic Functions”
7. Assoc. Prof. Ph.D Copeţchi Stanislav, Moldova State University, Chişinău, Moldova
“Considerations Regarding Identity Theft under the Criminal Legislation of the Republic of Moldova in the Current Context” (on line)_
8. Liviu Dănilă, Cybersecurity Expert, Constanta Maritime University
”Combating cyber crime – a central pillar of national and international resilience in the context of hybrid threats and asymmetric conflict” (on line)
16:00-16:15 Coffee break
16:15 – 17:45 Panel 4, Ph.D. Students, Room BNA 203 Nautical Base of CMU
Moderators:
· Dr. Olga Cataraga, Ph.d, Director of the National Center for Judicial Expertise, Ministry of Justice, Chisinau, Moldova
· Svitlana Karvatska, LL.D. Prof. ”Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi” National University, Ukraine
Speakers:
1. Ruslan Kariaka, PhD Student, ”Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi” National University, Ukraine ”Blockchain Applications for Autonomous Weapon Systems in International Humanitarian Law”
(on line)
2. Anastasiia Labyk,PhD Student, ”Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi” National University, Ukraine
”Protection of Personal Data in the Context of Hybrid Warfare: International Standards and Ukraine’s Experience” (on line)
3. Ph.D. student Predescu Silviu, ”Babeș-Bolyai” University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
”Forensic Investigation in the Digital Environment: Identification, Preservation and Exploitation of Digital Evidence” (on line)
4. Ph.D. student Emanuel Apetrei, “Ovidius” University, Constanța, Forensic Expert, National Institute of Forensic Expertise (INEC), Bucharest, Romania
”Deepfakes, Synthetic Identities and Facial Recognition: Challenges for Digital Forensics in the Black Sea Region” (on line)
5. Master`s student Gülce Sevim Küçük, İstanbul University, Türkiye
”Current Status of the ICC Regarding Cybercrimes in the Black Sea Region: Prosecutorial Investigations” (on line)
6. Master`s student Umut Berkay Polat, İstanbul University, Türkiye
”Cybersecurity and Healthcare – A view on EU Regulations” (on line)
18:30 Dinner
Day 2: Friday 20.11.2026
09:30 – 11:30 Panel 5, Room BNA 203 Nautical Base of CMU
Moderators:
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Rahime Erbaș, Istanbul University, Türkiye
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Mitra Mariana Niță, “Ovidius” University of Constanța
Speakers:
1. Assoc. Prof. dr. Rahime Erbaş, İstanbul University, Türkiye
“Cyber-attacks and maritime Accidents: Criminal Liability in the Black Sea”
2. Assoc. Prof. dr. Batuhan Baytaz , İstanbul University, Türkiye
“Illegal Online Betting and Gambling as a Form of Cyber- Enabled Crime”
3. Asosc. Prof. Bartłomiej Oręziak, PhD. ”Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński” University Warsaw, Poland
”Artificial Intelligence in Cybercrime Investigations under Procedural Safeguards”
4. Assoc. Prof. Marcin Wielec, PhD. ”Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński” University Warsaw, Poland
”When Machines Meet Secret Witnesses: Artificial Intelligence and Polish Strategies Against Organised Crime “
5. Daniel Ioniță, Assoc. Lecturer, Cybersecurity Expert, Constanta Maritime University
“Speed of law in hybrid warfare” (on line)
6. Ionuţ Daniel Dumitraşcu, ”Alexandru Ioan Cuza” Police Academy Bucharest, Romania
Lucia Narcisa Dumitraşcu, ”Alexandru Ioan Cuza” Police Academy Bucharest, Romania
” Verifying Suspects’ Statements regarding their Involvement in Cyber-attacks in the context of Hybrid Warfare”
7. Assoc. Prof. dr. Mitra Mariana Niță, “Ovidius” University, Constanța
“ Analysis of the Factors Specific to Hybrid Warfare in the Black Sea Region and Their Impact on the Evolution of Cybercrime”
11:30 – 11:45 Coffee break
11:45 – 13:45 Panel 6, Room BNA 203 Nautical Base of CMU
Moderators:
· Lecturer dr. Sadîc Zafer, “Ovidius” University, Constanța
· Lecturer dr. Bogdan Manole Decebal, ”1 December 1918” University, Alba Iulia
Speakers:
1. Lecturer dr. Constantin Nedelcu, ”Nicolae Titulescu” University, Bucharest
”Cybercrime and Countermeasures Adapted to Hybrid Warfare”
2. Lecturer dr. Bogdan Manole Decebal, ”1 December 1918” University, Alba Iulia
”Cybersecurity as an Important Component of the Overall Geopolitical, Domestic Policy, and Socio-Economic Security of States in the Context of the Globalization of Power Spheres”
3. Lecturer dr. Sadîc Zafer, “Ovidius” University, Constanța
“Challenges of Forensic Investigation in the Hybrid Space of the Black Sea”
4. Prof. dr. Augustin Lazăr – ”1 December 1918” University, Alba Iulia
”Cyberattacks Against Institutions Preserving Iconic Cultural Heritage in the Context of the Hybrid Conflict in the Black Sea Region” (on line)
5. Lecturer dr. Pavel Klima, Prague Metropolitan University, Czech Republic
”An Analysis of the Cybercrime Phenomenon: Current Trends in the Czech Republic” (on line)
6. Prof. dr. Brasoveanu Flori, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
”Environmental Protection in the Context of Armed Conflicts: Challenges and Perspectives of International Environmental Law in the Black Sea Region”
7. Lawyer Andrei Drăghici – Constanța Bar Association, Romania
”Considerations Regarding the Offense of Marine Pollution in the Context of Hybrid Warfare in the Black Sea Region”
13:45 – 14:15 Lunch
14:15 – 14:45 Conclusions
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Gabriel Mărgărit Raicu, Constanta Maritime University
· Prof. dr. Vasile Draghici, “Ovidius” University, Constanța
· Assoc. Prof. dr. habil. Sorin Alămoreanu, “Ovidius” University, Constanta
14:45 – 16:45 Practical application for MARCYSCOE experts in cooperation with the Romanian Coast Guard
18:30 Dinner, Nautical Base of CMU
Organizing Committee
Chair: Prof. dr. eng. Remus Zăgan, Constanta Maritime University
· Assoc. Prof. dr.eng. Gabriel Mărgărit Raicu, Constanta Maritime University
· Assoc. Prof. dr.eng. Radu Ioan Hanzu-Pazara, Constanta Maritime University
· Prof. Raluca Trandafir, PhD, Vice-Rector, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
· Prof. dr. Vasile Drăghici, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
· Assoc.Prof.dr. habil. Sorin Alămoreanu, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
· Prof. dr. Braşoveanu Flori, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Petruț Ciobanu, University of Bucharest
· Lawyer Elena Eliza Hodan, Bucharest Bar Association, Romania
· Assoc. Prof. Nicolae Grofu, Romanian Academy of Legal Sciences; Romanian Association of Penal Sciences
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Miheş Cristian, University of Oradea
· Assoc. Prof. Ph.D. Copeţchi Stanislav, Moldova State University, Chişinău, Moldova
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Ivan Toronchuk ”Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University”, Ukraine
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Pavlo Krainii ”Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University”, Ukraine
· Lecturer dr. Pavel Klima, Prague Metropolitan University, Czech Republic
· Assoc. Prof. Franț Elena Ancuța, ”Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iași
· Lecturer dr. Remus Jurj, Constanta Maritime University
· Assoc.Prof.dr. Mariana Mitra-Niță, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
· Dan Alexandru Catană, Director General of the Romanian Naval Authority
· Lecturer dr. Sadîc Zafer, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
· Lawyer Andrei Drăghici, Constanța Bar Association, Romania
· Lecturer dr. Bogdan Manole Decebal, ”1 Decembrie 1918” University, Alba Iulia
· Lecturer dr. Vasile Vidrighin, „Lucian Blaga” University, Sibiu
· Prosecutor Deputy Chief Inspector Robert Fleckhammer, Judicial Inspection Directorate, Romania
· Lecturer dr. Constantin Nedelcu, ”Titu Maiorescu” University, Bucharest
Scientific Committee
Chair: Assoc. Prof. dr. habil. eng. Gabriel Mărgărit Raicu, Constanta Maritime University
· Prof.dr.habil. Adrian Stoica, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
· Prof.dr. Vasile Drăghici, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
· Assoc.Prof.dr. habil. Sorin Alămoreanu, ”Ovidius” University, Constanța
· Associate Prof. PhD Eng. Toma Alecu Commanding Officer (Rector), Flotilla Rear Admiral, “Mircea cel Batran” Naval Academy, Constanța
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Petruț Ciobanu, University of Bucharest
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Miheş Cristian, University of Oradea
· Prof. dr. Brasoveanu Flori, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
· Assoc. Prof. Nicolae Grofu, Romanian Academy of Legal Sciences; Romanian Association of Penal Sciences
· Assoc. Prof. Ph.D. Copeţchi Stanislav, Moldova State University, Chişinău, Moldova
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Rahime Erbaș, Istanbul University, Türkiye
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Ivan Toronchuk, ”Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi” National University, Ukraine
· Assoc. Prof. dr. Pavlo Krainii, ”Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi” National University, Ukraine
· Assoc.Prof dr. Sanda Grădinaru, ”Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iași
· Assoc.Prof.dr. Mariana Mitra-Niță, ”Ovidius” University, Constanta
· Assoc.Prof.Ph.d. Franț Elena Ancuța, ”Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iași
· Assoc.Prof.dr.eng. Radu Ioan Hanzu-Pazara, Constanta Maritime University
· Lecturer dr. Pavel Klima, Prague Metropolitan University, Czech Republic
· Lecturer dr. Remus Jurj, Constanta Maritime University
· Lecturer dr. Bogdan Manole Decebal, ”1 Decembrie 1918” University, Alba Iulia
· Prosecutor Deputy Chief Inspector Robert Fleckhammer, Judicial Inspection Directorate, Romania
· Lecturer dr. Vasile Vidrighin, ”Lucian Blaga” University, Sibiu
· Dr. Olga Cataraga, Director National Center for Forensic Expertise Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Venue
The event will be held in hybrid format at the Nautical Base of Constanta Maritime University.
Address: No. 2 Cuartului Street, Constanta, Romania, 900504