Cyber Threats discussed in Cyber Security Working Group

Cooperation to counter malicious cyber threats was among the issues on the agenda of the second meeting of the 3+1 Cyber Security Working Group of Cyprus, Israel, Greece and America held in Larnaca this week.

The meeting aims to explore how countries can promote cooperation in countering malicious cyber threats, securing maritime cyberspace and building resilience in the East Mediterranean region according to a press release issued by the Office of the Communications Commissioner – Digital Security Authority.

During the first day the participants focused on sharing experiences, best practices and planning exercises in the maritime sector.

Furthermore, the results of a white paper “Regional Approach to Maritime Cybersecurity Governance and Risk Management: The Eastern Mediterranean as a Model” were presented and discussed.

On the second day, a brainstorming tabletop exercise took place. This gave the opportunity to participants to exercise through a maritime tabletop scenario how states and appointed national authorities and entities can cooperate in order to manage a cross-border cyber incident.

The relevant press release added that the event was greeted by the Ambassador and Political Director of Multilateral Relations and Political Security of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Evangelos Savva, the Ambassador of Greece in Cyprus, Ioannis Papameletiou, the Ambassador of Israel in Cyprus, Oren Anolik, the Assistant Commissioner for Communications, Petros Galidis and Justine Treadwell, Political-Economic Counselor of the US Embassy.

It is noted that the meeting was attended by invitees from ENISA, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Open University of Cyprus and Sandia National Laboratories, as well as the respective authorities from Greece and Israel.

The meeting was held on Tuesday and Wednesday at the CYCLOPS Educational Center in Larnaca.

Stakeholders in Cyprus have recently raised red flags over the government’s strategy on cyber security after three major hacks have hit the country in April. The University of Cyprus, the land registry and the Open University of Cyprus have been hacked earlier this year. Their sites were down and all three parties are still in the process of restoring systems.