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![\"Gundars](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bergmanis.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nDr. <\/span>Gundars Bergmanis-Kor\u0101ts<\/div>\nPrincipal Scientist<\/div>\nNATO StratCom COE<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
\nDr. Gundars Bergmanis-Kor\u0101ts is the Principal Scientist at the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (StratCom COE) in Riga, Latvia. He holds a PhD in signal and image processing from the University of Lorraine, France, which supports his expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis.
\nAt StratCom COE, he leads projects on AI in strategic communications, focusing on both the opportunities and risks of new technologies. His research mainly deals with countering digital disinformation, including building AI-based tools to track malicious information campaigns and adapting these solutions for smaller European languages. He also studies the impact of generative AI, such as large language models, on the information environment.
\nHis earlier work explored data brokerage security and the influence of social media platforms. Alongside research, he oversees training courses such as Online and Social Media Analytics and AI for Communicators, ensuring NATO and its partners keep pace with fast-changing technologies.
\nDr. Bergmanis-Kor\u0101ts has co-authored several studies on AI and information operations and regularly presents findings at international conferences. He also shares his expertise in media appearances, including podcasts on AI\u2019s role in modern information warfare.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Christopher](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/spirito.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nMr. <\/span>Christopher Michael Spirito<\/div>\nNuclear Cyber Security Consultant<\/div>\nDepartment of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
\nChris Spirito is a Nuclear Cyber Security Consultant at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL). He serves as the Cyber Lead for Analytics and Innovation within the International Nuclear Security program at DoE\/NNSA, overseeing cyber capacity-building efforts in Ukraine, Korea, Jordan, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Switzerland. He is also a Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Tartu, Estonia.
\nA lifelong educator and prolific coder, Chris conducts specialized training courses through U.S. Government capacity-building programs focused on risk reduction. Recent courses include the application of data science for insider threat protection and cyber test and evaluation of hardware in support of supply chain risk management. His hands-on expertise in low-level systems exploitation informs his teaching, bridging the gap between theoretical vulnerabilities and practical defensive strategies.
\nBefore joining INL, Chris was the International Cyber Lead at The MITRE Corporation. He also serves as a board member at WiRED International, an NGO dedicated to delivering health education globally, where he led the development of HealthMap, a mobile program that enables users to download comprehensive medical libraries to underserved communities\u2014a project that showcased his ability to merge coding expertise with humanitarian impact.
\nChris holds a BA in Mathematics from Boston College and pursued graduate studies in Mathematics and Cyber Security at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Biostatistics at the Harvard School of Public Health. His unique combination of mathematical foundations, low-level hacking skills, and public health expertise positions him at the forefront of addressing complex security challenges in critical infrastructure sectors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Jason](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/brown.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nDr.\/LTC <\/span>Jason Brown<\/div>\nAssistant Professor<\/div>\nArmy Cyber Institute<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Dr. LTC. Jason C. Brown is a research scientist and assistant professor at the Army Cyber Institute at West Point. He teaches risk management, organizational security, and systems-based decision making. As a futurist, he studies emerging threats, technological and social trends, and responses to those threats. He also leads a research team investigating cyber law, policy, and strategy issues on behalf of Army and other defense stakeholders. Dr. LTC. Brown has worked within the intelligence, information operations, and cyber career fields. He has authored technical reports on the future of extremism, information warfare, cyber enabled financial crimes, microtargeting, and Chinese soft power.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Didier](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/danet.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nDr. <\/span>Didier Danet<\/div>\nAssociate Researcher<\/div>\nGEODE Center, Paris 8 University<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Didier Danet is currently an Associate Researcher at the GEODE Center (Geopolitics of the Datasphere) at Paris 8 University. GEODE is one of only two university research centers to have been awarded the “”Center of Excellence”” designation, jointly granted by the French Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
\nHe holds a PhD in Management from the University of Rennes. He previously served as Associate Professor at the Saint-Cyr Co\u00ebtquidan Military Academy, where he taught public management and led a multidisciplinary research team on the transformations of contemporary conflict. This team carried out multi-year research programs on irregular warfare, lethal autonomous weapons systems, and conflict in the digital domain.
\nHe was also the Director of the Specialized Master\u2019s program Cyber Defense and Crisis Management, designed for military officers as well as senior civil servants and professionals from critical infrastructure sectors.
\nDidier Danet is the author of numerous academic publications, including books, book chapters, and journal articles. Most recently, he co-edited a volume on hybrid warfare (Rennes University Press , 2025).<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Marlen](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/rein.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nMs. <\/span>Marlen Rein<\/div>\nSubject Matter Expert<\/div>\nResearch and Lessons Learned Division, NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Marlen Rein is a diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, currently serving as the Estonian Subject Matter Expert at the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence (ENSEC COE), where she focuses on the linkage between energy security and cyber security, among other topics. Prior to joining the ENSEC COE, she was posted to the Embassy of Estonia in Madrid, dealing with bilateral political and economic relations. She also worked at the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the European Union, where she handled development cooperation and negotiations over the budget for EU external action, in addition to holding several positions at the Ministry. Before beginning her diplomatic career, she worked as a free-lance journalist for an Estonian daily newspaper. Ms Rein received her MA in East Asian Economy and Society from the University of Vienna in Austria.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Bernard](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/siman.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nDRs. Ing. <\/span>Bernard Siman<\/div>\nSenior Associate Fellow and Head of Expertise Group<\/div>\nEgmont Royal Institute of International Relations (associated with the Belgian Foreign Ministry) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Bernard Siman is a Senior Associate Fellow in charge of Hybrid Warfare and Cyber Threats at Egmont- The Royal Institute for International Relations in Belgium. Egmont is the Think Tanks associated with the Belgian Foreign Ministry. He is also Head of Cyber Diplomacy and Statecraft at the Brussels Diplomatic Academy of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). He regularly lectures at the Royal Military Academy in Belgium and at the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), the Common Security and Defence training institution of the European Union. His focus has included Cognitive threats, Dis-Mis-Mal Infornation, Geopolitical consequences of disruptive technologies, as well as Hybrid Threats in the influence area. In the area of Cyber and disruptive technologies, his focus has included how statecraft is exercised in the absence of binding international treaties for disruptive technologies. His experinece spans the academic, private and public sectors, as well as a career in finance. He is a graduate of the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), and has graduate degrees from Oxford Brooks University (UK), the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Kyoto University in Japan.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Pawe\u0142](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dziuba.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nMr. <\/span>Pawe\u0142 Dziuba<\/div>\nDirector of Cybersecurity Department<\/div>\nMinistry of National Defence of the Republic of Poland<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Mr. Pawe\u0142 Dziuba graduated from the Department of Cybernetics at the Military University of Technology, where he also earned an MBA in Cybersecurity, and from the Warsaw School of Economics with a degree in Cybersecurity Management. His expertise in IT, management, and ICT security has been developed through numerous specialized courses. Since November 2024, he has been serving as the Director of the Cybersecurity Department at the Ministry of National Defense.
\nMr. Pawe\u0142 Dziuba began his career in advanced information technology within military institutions, where he earned recognition as a leader in cryptology and cybersecurity projects. He has held significant roles, including Advisor at the Office of the Permanent Representative of Poland to NATO, Director of the Inspectorate of Information Technology, Deputy Director of the National Cryptology Center, Deputy Director of the National Cybersecurity Center, and Director of the Cybersecurity Training Center of Excellence.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Jiro](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/minier.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nMr. <\/span>Jiro Minier<\/div>\nLead, Threat Intelligence Research & Analysis<\/div>\nDeutsche Cyber-Sicherheitsorganisation (DCSO)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
\nMr.Jiro Minier leads the Threat Intelligence Research & Analysis team at the Deutsche Cyber-Sicherheitsorganisation (DCSO), a Berlin-based cybersecurity competence center, with a personal research focus on China-nexus cyberespionage activity.
\nHis actively involved in the cybersecurity and technology policy debate, including as a NextGen Fellow at the NATO Defense College and as a member of the 2025 cohort of the German Marshall Fund\u2019s Young Strategists Forum.
\nHe has held prior fellowships with Virtual Routes and the Centre for International Security at the Hertie School in Berlin, and was a participant in the German Council on Foreign Relations\u2019 Action Group Zeitenwende.
\nHe holds a BSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and an MPhil in International Relations and Politics from the University of Cambridge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Csaba](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/kraznay.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nDr. <\/span>Csaba Krasznay<\/div>\nAssociate Professor<\/div>\nLudovika University of Public Service<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Dr. Csaba Krasznay is an associate professor at the Ludovika University of Public Service, his research topic is cybersecurity. He is the former Head of the Institute Cybersecurity at the university. He is also responsible for the master’s degree program in cybersecurity . He is a regular guest lecturer at various local universities and research fellow at Tallinn University of Technology. He graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics in 2003 with a degree in electrical engineering and received his PhD from the Ludovika University of Public Service in 2012 in military technology sciences. In 2011, was voted to the \u201cSecurity Expert of the Year\u201d, in 2025, to the “Information Security Content Producer of the Year”. He is a board member of The Magyary E-Public Administration Association and the Voluntary Cyber Defense Association, former board member of ISACA Hungary and the Hungarian Electronic Signature Association. He is also a member of the Hungarian Military Science Society and the Scientific Association for Infocommunications. In addition to his higher education activities, he also works continuously for the private sector. He was one of the founders of the cybersecurity startup incubator OXO Cybersecurity Lab. He is a regular speaker at domestic and international conferences, as well as one of the most employed media experts in cybersecurity in Hungary. As his volunteer work, he supports the International Children\u2019s Safety Service and holds classes for children and parents on secure use of the Internet in primary and secondary schools.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Inga](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Zukauskiene.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nMrs. <\/span>Inga \u017dukauskien\u0117<\/div>\nDirector of Cyber Threat Management Department<\/div>\nNational Cyber Security Centre of Lithuania<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Mrs. Inga \u017dukauskien\u0117 is the Director of Cyber Threat Management Department at National Cyber Security Centre of Lithuania. She was also appointed as Director of the Regional Cyber Defence Centre at the National Cyber Security Centre on June 2023. Prior to this, she worked as a cybersecurity manager in business sector and had about 20 years of experience in international relations and cybersecurity policy with history of working at Ministry of National Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She holds MA Degree in Cybersecurity Management at Mykolas Riomeris University in Vilnius and MA in international relations at Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science. She supports diversity, inclusion and attraction of talents in cybersecurity and she is one of the founders and former leader of the Women4Cyber Lithuania community.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"David](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pehamberger.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nMr. <\/span>David Song-Pehamberger<\/div>\nDeputy Director, Strategy & Defense<\/div>\nEuropean Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
\u00b7 Current:
\nDeputy Director of the Community of Interest for Strategy & Defense at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE). Specializing in Cyber and Emerging Technologies in the context of Hybrid Threats.<\/p>\n\u00b7 Previously:
\nPolicy Advisor at the Austrian Ministry of Defense, responsible for Defense Policy & Strategy in Cyber Defense, Artificial Intelligence, and Emerging Technologies.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Vasco](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/prates.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nNavy Captain (OF5) <\/span>Vasco Prates<\/div>\nPortuguese Cyberdefence School Director<\/div>\nPortuguese General Staff<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
\nNavy Captain Vasco Miguel Ramos Marques Prates is a distinguished officer in the Portuguese Navy with over three decades of service, specialized in Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering, cyber defence, and strategic operations. Born in Lisbon in 1971, he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1994 with a degree in Naval Military Sciences and later earned postgraduate qualifications in Military Science \u2013 Security and Defence, and Occupational Safety and Health.
\nThroughout his career, Captain Prates has held key operational and leadership roles aboard corvettes, hydrographic vessels, and frigates. On land, he has contributed significantly to weapons and combat systems integration, education & training, and cyber defence development. His expertise led him to represent Portugal in several NATO and EU defence initiatives.
\nWhile being assigned at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) in Tallinn, Estonia, he led major projects such as the Cyber Commanders’ Handbook, Course Director for NATO accredited training as for the integration of cyber into operational planning and custodian of the NATO publication concerning doctrine for cyberspace operations. His work has fostered international cooperation, and he has played a strategic role in exercises like NATO Cyber Coalition, Locked Shields and Crossed Sword.
\nCaptain Prates is the Portuguese Steering Committee representative in the CCDCOE and member of the managing board of the Portuguese initiative Cyber Academia and Innovation Hub (CAIH).
\nCaptain Prates is now leading the recently created Portuguese Cyber Defence School, being its first Director.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Yisuo](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/tzeng.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nDr. <\/span>Yisuo Tzeng<\/div>\nAssociate Research Fellow<\/div>\nInstitute for National Defense and Security Research<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Dr. Yisuo Tzeng currently works in the division of cybersecurity and decision-making simulation at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), a non-partisan research organization. He also lectures at National Defense University and Tamkang University as an adjunct assistant professor. He holds a B.A. in finance from National Taiwan University and a Ph.D. in political science from the George Washington University in the United States. Dr. Tzeng has been tasked with research on Chinese influence campaign, digital resilience, cyber warfare, and AI in defense. His recent publications cover undersea cable issues in Taiwan, AI and deterrence, AI and cognitive warfare, Taiwan defense reform as well as how Taiwan faced threats posed by China\u2019s underwater, cyber, cognitive, electronic warfare and unmanned platforms. In addition to engaging with Track 1.5 Dialogues with IISS, RUSI, ASPI, and other European defense and security think tanks, Dr. Tzeng has been participating in or tackling wargame design of tabletop exercises regarding how Taiwan copes with strategic communication during contingency and digital resilience under a variety of grey zone threats posed by China with Taiwanese government agencies, think tanks in India and those from London and Washington D.C.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Krzysztof](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/lysek.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nDr. <\/span>Krzysztof \u0141ysek<\/div>\nDeputy Director<\/div>\nMilitary Communications Institute<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Dr. Krzysztof \u0141ysek is Deputy Director of the Military Communication Institute in Zegrze, Poland. He received his MSc in Electronics and Telecommunications in 1989 and his PhD in Telecommunications in 2002, both from the Military University of Technology in Warsaw.From 1990 to 2003 he worked at the Military University of Technology, progressing from Research Assistant to Assistant Professor. During this time, he lectured on communication networks, terminal equipment, and protocol testing, and contributed to national and NATO-led projects on interoperability and communication systems. Between 2003 and 2006, Dr. \u0141ysek was Principal Engineer at the TACOMS Post 2000 International Project Office in Paris, where he supported the standardisation of tactical communications for NATO nations. Since 2006, he has held the position of Deputy Director at the Military Communication Institute, where he continues to focus on secure and interoperable communication systems.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Sasaki](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sasaki.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nRear Admiral, JMSDF(ret.), Dr. <\/span>SASAKI Takahiro<\/div>\nVisiting professor<\/div>\nHiroshima University<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
\nTakahiro Sasaki is Rear Admiral (retired) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Visiting Professor at Hiroshima University’s Faculty of Law, Visiting Professor at Tokai University’s Institute for Peace, Strategic and International Studies, Visiting Researcher at Meiji University’s Cybersecurity Institute, Ph.D. (Hiroshima University).
\nAfter graduating from the National Defense Academy of Japan in 1986, he joined the JMSDF. He subsequently served as a liaison officer for the U.S. Navy’s Third Fleet Command, a student at the Australian Naval Staff College, Commanding Officer of the destroyer “”JS Yubetsu””, Defense attach\u00e9 at the Embassy of Japan in Russia, Section chief of the Analysis Department of the Defense Intelligence Headquarters, a student at the UK Defence Intelligence School, Commander of the 8th Escort Division, cyber security coordinator at the Joint Staff Office, commander of the C4I Systems Center, and Commander of the Shimonoseki Sub Area Activity of Sasebo Reginal District, before retiring from the Ministry of Defense in 2018 (at the rank of Rear Admiral).
\nBased on his experience working on the frontlines of diplomacy and security as a defense attach\u00e9 in Russia, and his work as the first cyber planning and coordinator at the Joint Staff Office, where he was involved in formulating the Ministry of Defense’s cyber attack response guidelines and establishing the Cyber Defense Unit, he specializes in international politics and international relations, with a focus on Russian military and security, as well as information theory, focusing on information warfare, cybersecurity, and intelligence issues. Drawing on this background, his research emphasizes the integration of fieldwork and academic perspectives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Eugenio](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/eugenio.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nMr. <\/span>Eugenio Benincasa<\/div>\nSenior Cyberdefense Researcher<\/div>\nCenter for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
\nEugenio Benincasa is a Senior Cyberdefense Researcher at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich. Prior to joining CSS, Eugenio worked as a Threat Analyst at the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers in Rome and as a Research Fellow at the think tank Pacific Forum in Honolulu, where he focused on cybersecurity issues. He also worked as a Crime Analyst at the New York Police Department (NYPD).
\nEugenio holds a MA in International Affairs from Columbia University in New York with a focus on international security, and an Executive Master in Cybersecurity from LUISS University in Rome.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Robert](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/gallagher.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nCommanadant <\/span>Robert Gallagher<\/div>\nOperations Researcher, Operations Branch<\/div>\nNATO CCDCOE, Tallinn Estonia<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
\nI am a senior cybersecurity and ICT leader with over two decades of experience delivering secure, resilient technology solutions in high-stakes national and international environments. Previous to my current role in the CCDCOE I served as Senior ICT Officer with the Defence Forces Ireland. In this role I led a large technical team supporting over 8,000 users across four countries, overseeing secure network operations, cyber defence, and critical ICT infrastructure.
\nI have directed the development and implementation of military-grade secure networks, cyber governance frameworks, and large-scale infrastructure projects, including a \u20ac25 million high-security data centre build. I have extensive expertise in incident response, vulnerability management, cryptographic communications, and operational resilience, and managed multiple 24\/7 security operations centres.
\nMy international experience includes serving as an ICT officer with the United Nations on multiple deployments including Lebanon and Syria and leading cyber operations for multinational teams, and advising on security strategy for European Battlegroup Headquarters in Strasbourg.
\nI hold CISSP, ITIL, and PMP credentials, a Bachelors in Information Technology from Dublin City University and a Master\u2019s in Electronic Systems Engineering from Cranfield University. I am a graduate of the Program on Cyber Security Studies at the George C. Marshall Centre, reflecting my commitment to global security collaboration.
\nI bring a unique combination of strategic leadership, deep technical expertise, and operational experience, making me a strong contributor to panels on cyber resilience, defence technologies, security strategy and training.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Nathalie](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/gratzner.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nMs. <\/span>Nathalie Gratzer<\/div>\nHead of Industry Cooperation<\/div>\nNATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Nathalie Gratzer is Head of Industry Cooperation at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) in Tallinn, Estonia. She leads strategic engagement with industry and fosters collaboration between NATO member states, academia, and the private sector to advance operational readiness in cyberspace.
\nAs a Strategy Researcher specialising in Critical Information Infrastructure Protection (CIIP), Nathalie focuses on the intersection of policy, technology, and resilience. Holding a Master\u2019s degree in Business Information Systems and the CISSP certification, she combines analytical rigour with practical defence expertise to strengthen cyber resilience across national and multinational frameworks.
\nAs a Public Information Officer in the Cyber Battalion of the Swiss Armed Forces, Nathalie bridges communication and strategy between the public, private, and military domains. She supports the national narrative of cyber defence and contributes to exercises and initiatives that enhance readiness and resilience.
\nHer previous work at the Swiss Federal Office for National Economic Supply shaped national strategies for ICT protection and public-private partnership in cyber resilience\u2014insights she now channels into NATO\u2019s cooperative defence efforts.
\nNathalie regularly contributes to international panels and research on public-private-partnership, cyber strategy, hybrid threats, and emerging technologies, advocating for pragmatic and collaborative approaches to securing the digital domain. Dedicated to safeguarding the digital battlespace, Nathalie brings a forward-looking perspective to the question of how democracies can defend proactively while preserving trust, transparency, and international stability.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Aleksi](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/kajander.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nDr. <\/span>Aleksi Oskar Johannes Kajander<\/div>\nLegal Researcher \/ Lecturer<\/div>\nNATO CCDCOE \/ Tallinn University of Technology<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Dr. Aleksi Kajander is a researcher at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) and the Tallinn University of Technology\u2019s Department of Law. He holds a PhD and Master\u2019s degree from the Tallinn University of Technology as well as a second Master\u2019s on Investment Treaty Arbitration from Uppsala University. His work focuses on International law, cybersecurity and human rights.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"\u85e4\u4e95\u3000\u7ae0\u535a\"](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fujii.png\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nDr. <\/span>FUJII Akihiro<\/div>\nPresident<\/div>\nOrganization of Cyber Defence Innovation<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
\nProfessor Akihiro Fujii is a dedicated academic at Hosei University in Tokyo, where he contributes to the Department of Applied Informatics. He also serves as President of the Cyber Defence Innovation Organization of Japan (OCDI), a non-governmental organization focusing on cybersecurity.
\nHis academic path includes a Ph.D. from Tohoku University in computer science and a period as a Visiting Scholar at MIT. He also completed the doctoral coursework at the Graduate School of The University of Tokyo. Before joining Hosei University in 2008, he was a Senior Researcher at National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.
\nHis work focuses on areas such as Distributed Computing, Web System Design, and the Semantic Web. In addition to his research, he contributed to the field by translating Unmesh Joshi’s book, “”Patterns of Distributed Systems,”” into Japanese.
\nSince assuming the role of President at OCDI, Professor Fujii has been actively engaged in research on Hybrid Threats with institutions such as the UK Defence Academy and the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE) in Helsinki. He is dedicated to leveraging the knowledge gained to contribute to peace in East Asia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Kostadin](\"https:\/\/2025.cydef.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/kostadin.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n\n\nCol. <\/span>Kostadin Vasilev Lazarov<\/div>\nOpsLab Section Head<\/div>\nNATO Crisis Management & Disaster Recovery COE<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfile<\/summary>\n
Col. Kostadin Lazarov (OF-5) serves as Head of OpsLab at CMDR COE (since 2017), leading AI\/ML and modeling-&-simulation programs that connect sensors, analytics, and C2 for faster, safer decision-making. He has orchestrated cyber-physical experimentation that links HLA federations to real-world C2 (COBRA, SWORD, Hymots), producing evidence-based changes to SOPs, training, and technology. He created the Transformation Vector\u2014a closed-loop framework that instruments exercises, quantifies decision latency and interoperability, and publishes validated change packages for re-verification in subsequent events. His team\u2019s work includes the GROOT space-weather platform, AI correlation mining, counter-UAS vision at high FPS, and hybrid robotic\/ballistic computation modules.<\/p>\n