• November 29, 2024

Experts trained in Helsinki on the role of cyber in hybrid conflict

From 25 to 29 November 2024, Hybrid CoE hosted the third and latest iteration of the course ‘The Contribution of Cyber in Hybrid Conflict’, organized in cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA) under the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) framework. The course brought together 34 participants from 21 nations, including EU Member States, as well as Switzerland, Canada, Ukraine, and Japan. The event focused on educating participants on the increasing convergence of cyber and hybrid threats, and on fostering collaboration across diverse fields of expertise.

During the course, participants attended lectures addressing the key concepts of cyber and hybrid threats, their implications for modern conflicts, and strategies for countering such challenges.

The course also featured a decision-making tabletop exercise (TTX), which challenged participants to apply their knowledge in a multi-turn adversarial scenario. Teams representing fictional nations assumed roles akin to their real-life positions as senior advisors to political leaders. They worked collaboratively to analyze emerging crisis situations, develop strategic responses to hybrid threats, and employ national power tools to achieve policy objectives.

This year’s exercise drew on lessons from real-world events, such as Russia’s war against Ukraine and China’s assertive moves in the Pacific region. The inclusion of Ukrainian and Japanese participants and speakers added valuable perspectives, further underlining the global relevance of addressing the multifaceted threat landscape, which involves dynamic interaction between cyber and hybrid threats.

Recognized by the EU, EDA, and ESDC, the course is part of ongoing efforts to enhance collective resilience against cyber and hybrid threats.

  • November 11, 2024

Teija Tiilikainen appointed Director of Hybrid CoE for a second term

Teija Tiilikainen, Doctor of Political Science, has been appointed Director of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE) for a five-year term from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2029.

The appointment was made by Hybrid CoE’s Steering Board at their meeting on 8 November 2024.

Dr Tiilikainen has led the Centre since 2019. Prior to her appointment to this position, she was Director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) from 2010 to 2019. Previously, Dr Tiilikainen also served as Director of the Network of European Studies at the University of Helsinki (2003–2009) and as Secretary of State at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland from 2007 to 2008.

“I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to continue working for such an important and policy-relevant organization as Hybrid CoE. I am also grateful for the continued trust that the Centre’s Participating States have shown in me through this appointment. Together with the Centre’s professional staff, we will intensify our efforts to protect Euro-Atlantic states and societies from the ever-increasing hybrid threats,” Dr Tiilikainen said.

“I am very pleased that Dr Teija Tiilikainen was chosen for the position. During her previous term as Director, she has demonstrated leadership and management qualities to a high degree, particularly evident in the further development of Hybrid CoE from a startup into a professional, permanent expert institution within the EU-NATO security architecture,” said Jarmo Lindberg, Chair of the Steering Board of Hybrid CoE.

“Dr Tiilikainen possesses remarkable knowledge of current security policy processes and a comprehensive understanding of hybrid threats. Her extensive international network – encompassing leaders, universities, think tanks, and other Centres of Excellence – has helped to enhance Hybrid CoE’s importance, as reflected in the recent achievement of universal participation in the Centre by all EU and NATO members,” Jarmo Lindberg added.

Hybrid CoE’s mission is to strengthen its Participating States’ security by providing expertise and training for countering hybrid threats, and by enhancing EU-NATO cooperation in this respect. The Centre is an autonomous hub for practitioners and experts, located in Helsinki, Finland. As of June 2024, the Centre’s 36 Participating States encompass all EU member states and NATO Allies.

  • October 14, 2024

Western Balkans in focus at countering disinformation wargame and conference in Vienna

For the first time, Hybrid CoE organized a region-specific countering disinformation wargame and conference, focusing on the Western Balkans, from 7 to 10 October in Vienna, Austria. The real-world simulation on how to recognize, respond to, and defend against disinformation was the ninth in a series of wargaming events designed to build the capacities of democratic states and their populations to counter disinformation from authoritarian regimes. 

“We need to identify our vulnerabilities to be able to defend against malign actors striving to exploit our weak points through versatile hybrid threat tactics,” commented Director of Hybrid CoE Teija Tiilikainen in her opening remarks. 

The wargaming sessions in Vienna simulated a major earthquake scenario in the Balkans, with malign actors taking advantage of the natural disaster in the information space, including through the use of novel AI tools. Among the training audience were eight national teams from Hybrid CoE’s Participating States, including three teams from the Western Balkans region. In total, 20 nationalities were represented among the officials participating in and running the wargaming sessions, organized by Hybrid CoE in collaboration with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence. 

“The primary goal of the countering disinformation wargame is to equip participants with the necessary tools and strategies to effectively recognize and counter disinformation threats in an increasingly complex information landscape,” said Shiho Rybski, Director of Training & Exercises at Hybrid CoE. 

“The strength of our response to disinformation in the Western Balkans lies not only in our individual efforts, but in our ability to work together across borders, sharing knowledge and resources to bolster our collective defences,” Ms Rybski added. 

At the Demystifying Disinformation conference held prior to the wargaming sessions, the latest trends in countering disinformation were discussed, including the growing role of AI, as well as the value of regional cooperation and civil society in defending against disinformation.    

A recording of the Demystifying Disinformation conference can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/5sXkObzdTsU  

  • August 28, 2024

Wargaming courses focus on resilience of critical infrastructure

The need to increase the resilience of critical infrastructure sites in EU and NATO countries was the sole focus of two wargaming courses organized by Hybrid CoE in conjunction with the US Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). The courses, held in Helsinki between 12 and 23 August, brought together a diverse group of operational planners and officials from institutions such as the EU, NATO, MFAs, MODs, and MOIs of the Centre’s Participating States. Eleven countries were represented among the participants. 

“Focusing on wargaming topics such as critical infrastructure protection is essential as it allows us to prepare for potential threats and cascading effects, ensuring our resilience in the face of uncertainty. By simulating scenarios, we can protect the backbone of our society, safeguarding not just assets but also the continued functioning of our communities,” said Ms Shiho Rybski, Director of Training & Exercises at Hybrid CoE. 

The courses have been designed with a clear goal in mind: to teach the practical tools and techniques of wargaming in a hybrid threat environment. This essential skill is not just theoretical, but directly applicable to planning, strategic thinking, and decision-making in the real world.  

“The synergy of having participants with such a wide range of diverse expertise created an outstanding learning environment and set the conditions for two great hybrid wargames to be developed,” commented Jeff Appleget, Wargaming Director at the US Naval Postgraduate School. 

The courses took place in Helsinki for the fourth time, but have been conducted by the NPS around the world since 2011. This time, they consisted of a basic element, focusing on foundational wargaming principles and techniques, and an advanced element, delving further into wargame refinement techniques, specifically designed for Hybrid CoE to allow for an in-depth exploration of the topical issue of critical infrastructure protection. 

  • June 13, 2024

Albania joins Hybrid CoE – completing the participation of all EU and NATO countries

On 13 June, the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats had the pleasure of welcoming Mr Igli Hasani, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania. Mr Hasani visited the Centre to hand over the Letter of Notification to Director Teija Tiilikainen, officially making Albania the 36th Participating State of Hybrid CoE and completing the participation of all EU and NATO countries in the Centre’s activities.

“On behalf of Hybrid CoE, I would like to welcome Albania to the Centre. Albania will add a very important geopolitical component to our knowledge base and help the Centre fulfil its mandate in countering hybrid threats,” Director Teija Tiilikainen stated. “Thanks to Albania’s accession, Hybrid CoE now encompasses all EU and NATO members, which is a great achievement and signals the willingness of the Euro-Atlantic community to counter hybrid threats in a strongly united manner.”

“We are delighted to join Hybrid CoE, which now includes all NATO Allies and EU member states. This signifies a very important step forward for Albania, and we are keen to contribute to the Centre’s vital mission,” Minister Hasani said. “We bring a spirit of collaboration and a thirst for knowledge, ready to learn from the vast experience of other Participating States and to share our own insights. Together, we can build a more secure and resilient future, not just for Albania, but for the entire Euro-Atlantic region.”

In addition to Albania, the Centre of Excellence includes the following Participating States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Centre cooperates closely with the EU and NATO.

  • June 11, 2024

Ukrainian professors trained on the use of game-based methods for countering hybrid threats

Hybrid CoE and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) delivered a train-the-trainer course to Ukrainian universities on the use of game-based methods for training and foresight in countering hybrid threats. The course was part of the Erasmus+ project “Academic Response to Hybrid Threats” (WARN), coordinated by the University of Jyväskylä and hosted by ECAM-EPMI (Graduate School of Electrical Engineering) in Cergy, France, from 14 to16 May, 2024.

During the course, 23 professors from Ukrainian universities were trained to design dilemma and matrix games for professional use. These games were applied to complex decision-making scenarios on countering hybrid threats. The course focused on current and future vulnerabilities in Ukrainian society, the ways in which these vulnerabilities could be exploited by Russia, and how to counter such exploitation. Vulnerabilities that could be targeted during Ukraine’s path to EU membership were a central theme during the course.

  • June 3, 2024

Martha Turnbull appointed Director of Community of Interest on Hybrid Influence

Martha Turnbull took up the position of Director of the Community of Interest on Hybrid Influence (COI HI) at Hybrid CoE on 29 May 2024.

“Martha’s broad expertise on hybrid threat-related issues will strengthen Hybrid CoE’s knowledge base, and I am very happy to welcome her to lead COI HI,” said Director Teija Tiilikainen. “I also very much look forward to working with her in the Centre’s leadership, as Martha will be joining the executive team.”

Martha is a career diplomat in the UK Foreign Service and has spent the past 15 years working on various national security issues, including hybrid threats and counter-terrorism. She was previously posted to Abu Dhabi as the Gulf Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, responsible for overseeing the UK’s counter-terrorism support to five Gulf States. More recently, Martha has been based in London as one of the Deputy Heads of the State Threats Unit, with responsibility for analysis, data, and open source reporting.

“I’m delighted to take up this role and to promote the UK’s ongoing support for the Centre. The threats we face continue to evolve, so the Centre’s work is vital in order to share understanding and promote best practice. I look forward to working with all the Participating States over the course of my posting,” Martha commented. 

Hybrid CoE’s mission is to strengthen its Participating States’ security by providing expertise and training for countering hybrid threats, and by enhancing EU-NATO cooperation in this respect. The Centre is an autonomous hub for practitioners and experts, located in Helsinki, Finland.

  • April 25, 2024

The sixth Cyber Power Symposium discussed the use of cyber-related technologies, such as AI, to gain cognitive superiority

The sixth Cyber Power Symposium on Hybrid Conflict and Warfare (CPH), organized by HybridCoE, took place on 23 April. This year’s online symposium focused on the use of cyber-related technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to achieve cognitive superiority. Experts from 33 Hybrid CoE Participating States, as well as representatives from the EU, NATO, Australia, Japan, Ukraine, Liechtenstein, South Korea, New Zealand, and Switzerland, participated in the event.

The symposium focused on several key issues:

  1. Cognitive warfare and superiority: The primary goal of cognitive warfare lies in gaining cognitive superiority, which relies on access to information, pervasive surveillance, personalized persuasion, and new technologies.
  2. Authoritarian strategic culture and digital tools: Authoritarian states, revisionist powers, rogue states, and non-state networks leverage authoritarian strategic culture thinking. They combine this mindset with digital tools enabled by new platforms, networks, and speed. The need for new regulations in this context was also emphasized.
  3. Artificial intelligence (AI) in cognitive warfare: The development of AI technologies is central to the ongoing cognitivewarfarearmsrace. AI can be used for both offensive and defensive purposes. As AI continues to evolve, it will require continuous investigation, moral considerations, and policy adjustments. During the discussions, it was highlighted that ransomware attacks are expected to surge in both volume and impact over the next two years due to advancements in AI technologies.
  4. Threats to democracies: Lastly, there is an urgent need to understand how democracies are threatened in this landscape. As we navigate the intersection of technology, security, and information, safeguarding democratic values becomes crucial.

In summary, the symposium underscored the critical role of AI in shaping cognitive warfare and highlighted the challenges facing democracies in this complex environment.

source: Sergey Tinyakov / shutterstock.com
  • March 19, 2024

Looking to secure elections? Strengthen cyber defences and provide information security training for citizens and politicians alike

In this super election year, disinformation and cyberattacks pose the most imminent threats to upcoming elections in Europe. Over the long term, however, election interference from abroad is more likely to take place through voter manipulation than through direct attacks on the electoral system.

These are two of the most important lessons learned from Hybrid CoE’s recent work studying election interference and ways to prevent it.

“European officials should prioritize strengthening cybersecurity defences for electoral systems, enhancing public awareness campaigns to combat disinformation, and building capacity to identify and counter disinformation-fuelled threats and violence in the physical domain,” writes election security expert Sebastian Bay in Hybrid CoE’s latest piece of research on countering election interference.

To help governments secure elections against hybrid threats, Bay outlines a framework that consists of nine key actions for governments to take:

  1. putting together a robust and evolving legal framework;
  2. identifying and assessing risks and vulnerabilities in the electoral system;
  3. enhancing the resilience of the electoral system;
  4. combatting the effects of electoral information influence activities by communicating and training;
  5. establishing effective cooperation among various authorities and entities;
  6. conducting exercises to test and evaluate the effectiveness of existing security measures and responses;
  7. establishing incident reporting, early warning, and detection mechanisms;
  8. responding to threats through a collaborative approach; and,
  9. should any threats materialize, restoring normalcy to the election process by addressing and rectifying the immediate impacts of the threats or attacks.

In another cornerstone of Hybrid CoE’s counter-election interference work, researcher Veronika Krátka Špalková and analyst Andrej Poleščuk point out that foreign election interference usually occurs at the level of long-term manipulation of citizens. Thus, protective measures should focus on the overall resilience of the population to foreign influence.

Špalková and Poleščuk recommend that states put effort into cyber and information security training for citizens, as well as advanced and specialized cybersecurity training for political candidates, politicians, and political parties. Finally, they recommend fundamental legislative and systemic changes to secure elections.

“Under current legislation in several countries, it is almost impossible to react to election interference by foreign actors due to the lack of precise and constitutionally conforming definitions of what an influence operation is, who should be held accountable for the deliberate dissemination of false information, and what the penalty should be in such cases. These should be defined in the legislation,” they write.

Based on its work on countering election interference, Hybrid CoE offers its Participating States various training sessions and briefings on election security, and how to counter hybrid threats against elections throughout the current super election year.

The work will culminate in a closed event for Hybrid CoE’s Participating States that aims to collect and share best practices and lessons learned during the elections in 2024.

“I would like to encourage all our Participating States to track any hybrid threat activity against their elections and discuss the cases with us. This will help us at Hybrid CoE to help you strengthen your election security in the long run,” says Susanna Kujanpää, who leads the Preventing Election Interference workstrand.

The two reports on election security can be read in full here:

source: DFRLab
  • January 25, 2024

Invitation to Atlantic Council’s webinar on Ukraine’s fight against disinformation

Monday 29 Jan 2024
15:00–16:00 CET / 16:00–17:00 Helsinki time (UTC +2)
Online event

In 2023, the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats and the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab interviewed two dozen Ukrainian officials and experts leading the country’s efforts to counter Russian information operations. The result is a groundbreaking new report How Ukraine fights Russian disinformation: Beehive vs mammoth, documenting how they’ve been doing it, what’s working, and their advice for Western governments also facing Russian information threats.

As a follow-up to the publishing of the Hybrid CoE Research Report, this event features the authors Jakub Kalenský and Roman Osadchuk, who will discuss the main lessons learned by Ukraine over the last decade and explore how Ukraine’s resilience can serve as a model for Europe and elsewhere.

 Sign up for the event on the Atlantic Council’s website here.

Cyber

Experts trained in Helsinki on the role of cyber in hybrid conflict

Read ›
Organization (Hybrid CoE)

Teija Tiilikainen appointed Director of Hybrid CoE for a second term

Read ›
Disinformation

Western Balkans in focus at countering disinformation wargame and conference in Vienna

Read ›
Resilience

Wargaming courses focus on resilience of critical infrastructure

Read ›
Organization (Hybrid CoE)

Albania joins Hybrid CoE – completing the participation of all EU and NATO countries

Read ›
Eastern Partnership countries

Ukrainian professors trained on the use of game-based methods for countering hybrid threats

Read ›
Organization (Hybrid CoE)

Martha Turnbull appointed Director of Community of Interest on Hybrid Influence

Read ›
Cyber

The sixth Cyber Power Symposium discussed the use of cyber-related technologies, such as AI, to gain cognitive superiority

Read ›
Election interference

Looking to secure elections? Strengthen cyber defences and provide information security training for citizens and politicians alike

Read ›
Disinformation

Invitation to Atlantic Council’s webinar on Ukraine’s fight against disinformation

Read ›