The exercise was organised by the e-Governance Academy (eGA), in cooperation with Cybexer Technologies, under the EU-funded Cyber Balkans project.
Over four intensive days, participants strengthened their ability to detect, respond to, and recover from complex cyber incidents, while fostering closer regional cooperation and trust.
The program began with a practical training day focused on improving defensive skills and understanding the tactics used in modern cyberattacks. The following three days were dedicated to a Live Fire exercise, which involved active defense, system hardening, and complex attack-and-response scenarios. Conducted on the CybExer Cyber Range, the exercise placed teams in realistic conditions where they worked together to identify and counter advanced threats within a secure simulated environment.
“The exercise brought together professionals from across the region and placed them in a truly dynamic cyber battlefield,” said Aare Reintam, Chief Operating Officer at CybExer. “Our goal was to provide participants with a setting where they could experience the pace and pressure of real attacks while learning how coordinated defense and system hardening can make a decisive difference.”
The training was part of eGA’s ongoing efforts to build cybersecurity capacity and strengthen cooperation across the region. eGA brought together national experts and institutions, fostering shared understanding and practical readiness against evolving cyber threats.
“Strong cybersecurity depends on trust and collaboration,” said Merle Maigre, Head of the Cybersecurity Competence Center at the e-Governance Academy. “This program gave participants the opportunity to work side by side, share knowledge, and test their skills in a realistic environment. It is a step forward for the region’s
collective resilience.”
CybExer delivered the exercise environment, technical design, and facilitation, ensuring that participants experienced authentic real-world conditions in a safe and controlled setting. The collaboration between eGA and CybExer demonstrated how strategic capacity building and advanced technology can together create lasting impact across borders.
By the end of the program, participants had strengthened both their technical capabilities and their professional networks. The joint effort once again highlighted Estonia’s role as a trusted partner in advancing regional cyber resilience and preparing nations to respond effectively to future challenges. The workshop was carried out by the e-Governance Academy under the EU-funded Cyber Balkans project.
Photo by: Jakob Meier (e-Governance Academy)
