On October 24-25, the annual ECCRI field trip brought the European Cybersecurity Fellows to Brussels for an intensive two-day agenda with key EU, NATO, and industry stakeholders. As the main highlight of the fellowship, this visit offered Fellows a chance to engage with officials, explore pressing cybersecurity issues, and deepen their understanding of policy dynamics.
The first day included sessions with the European Commission’s DG CNECT, where Fellows examined shifting liability in cyberspace through initiatives like the Cyber Resilience Act. At the European External Action Service (EEAS), discussions then centered on cyber diplomacy and the EU’s stance on responsible state behavior in cyberspace. The afternoon's session at NATO provided insights into the alliance's collaborative approach to cyber defense and resilience, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships. The day concluded with a roundtable on "Cyber Solidarity in the EU," where Fellows explored the role of private entities in supporting Europe’s cybersecurity efforts.
The second day featured a briefing from Microsoft on the current cyber threat landscape, and Fellows-only internal workshops, focusing on ECCRI’s ongoing and future activities as well as exploring pathways for Fellows’ growth within the program.
ECCRI Fellow and Senior Analyst at Standard Chartered, Kamil Bojarski, said “The fellowship field trip was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to expand my professional horizons. Working on the technical side of cybersecurity I very much welcomed a chance to connect with cyber policy professionals from key institutions. On top of that it was great to be able to finally meet all the fellow fellows in person and exchange experience.”
“I felt very supported to explore new ideas and learn from the experiences of my colleagues,” ECCRI Fellow and PhD Candidate at University of Oxford, Julia Carver, added.
The fellowship is led by Max Smeets, Co-Director of ECCRI, and Patryk Pawlak, Part-Time Professor at the European University Institute’s (EUI) Robert Schuman Centre and the Project Director for the Global Initiative on the Future of the Internet (GIFI).
“The European Cybersecurity Fellowship provides a rich, layered experience where Fellows deepen their knowledge across technical and policy topics, hone essential skills, and connect with a supportive network of cybersecurity professionals. The field trip is a core component, giving Fellows firsthand insight into European cybersecurity efforts,” Co-Director of the Fellowship program, Patryk Pawlak, said.
The 2024-2025 European Cybersecurity Fellowship is made possible through a partnership with the Microsoft, Government of Malta, William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Mandiant, now part of Google Cloud. For more information on the 2024-2025 Fellowship cohort, see here.
From November 26, 2024, the European Cyber Conflict Research Initiative (ECCRI) and the European Cyber Conflict Research Incubator (ECCRI CIC) operate under one umbrella brand - Virtual Routes. Read more about Virtual Routes here.
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