Securing the Balkan Mosaic:
Cyber–Physical Resilience in a Hybrid Era
19–20 March 2026, Sibiu, Romania
The CyberSecurity Dialogues is growing from a local and national policy and awareness initiative into a regional convening platform, aligning with the maturity of Southeast Europe’s security agenda and its ambitions for Euro-Atlantic integration.
Romania, and particularly Sibiu, plays an increasingly vital role as a regional hub for cybersecurity and hybrid threat coordination. The presence and partnership of national and international actors reinforce the city’s strategic relevance for multilateral dialogue, policy development, and private sector engagement in cyber defense and digital resilience.
As it transitions toward a broader regional outreach and strategic outlook, the 11th edition of the CyberSecurity Dialogues marks a new chapter and natural evolution for the next decade of the platform.
In the face of evolving regional hybrid threats — from cyberattacks and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities to regulatory disruption and disinformation — Sibiu will host key public and private actors from across the Balkans and beyond. This two-day forum fosters actionable cooperation, strengthens resilience through shared regulation (NIS2, DORA), and positions the Dialogues as a cornerstone for collaborative and inclusive security in Southeast Europe.
We recognize the critical importance of enriching a gender perspective into cybersecurity and broader security policymaking — particularly in addressing the inherent biases in ICT and AI systems. Ensuring that these strategies are inclusive, representative, and resilient requires actively challenging the technological and algorithmic frameworks that often perpetuate gender disparities.
In the Balkan region, encouragingly, several initiatives are already fostering greater gender balance in the security sector, with women increasingly taking on leadership roles in cybersecurity and policymaking — contributing to more holistic and forward-looking solutions.
The 2026 edition in Sibiu signals this evolution, positioning the Dialogues as a cross-sector, crossborder forum focused on:
- Hybrid security convergence (cyber, physical, kinetic, non-kinetic);
- Operational resilience for public and private stakeholders;
- Inclusive, forward-looking approaches to risk governance;
- EU/NATO alignment through shared regulatory and security frameworks;
- Pragmatic dialogue and co-construction of Balkan security futures
Event Format
- Day 1 (19 March 2026): Strategic Dialogue & Public–Private Panels
- Day 2 (20 March 2026): Sector-Focused Roundtables & Afternoon Masterclasses
Key Themes
- Hybrid Threat Environments
- Critical Infrastructure & Digital Sovereignty
- Regulatory Preparedness & Market Impact
- Public–Private Partnership for Resilience
- Inclusive Security Futures