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.
