CyberMACS Winter School 2025
Press Release
January 2025
CyberMACS Winter School 2025
The CyberMACS Winter School 2025, held at Kadir Has University in Istanbul, successfully concluded with two weeks of inspiring workshops, interactive competitions, and cutting-edge discussions. The event gathered leading academics, industry professionals, and eager students to delve into critical issues surrounding cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital resilience.
Week 1 (20-24 Jan) Highlights
Hosted at KHAS University, the first week delivered engaging workshops and collaborative sessions with renowned experts. From lectures on AI use cases by Prof. Alexander Iliev (SRH) to network steganography insights by Prof. Aleksandra Mileva (Goce Delcev University), participants gained invaluable knowledge across various topics.
Key moments included:
- Bora Köse – Overview of Critical Infrastructures (CIs) and Cyber Threats to CIs (Fortinet, KHAS)
- Cüneyt Kalpakoğlu – Secure Software Development (Endpoint-Labs, KHAS)
- Prof. Alexander Iliev – AI Use Cases (SRH)
- Klaus Schwarz – AI-Enhanced OSINT I (SRH)
- Prof. Boro Jakimovski – Security Incident and Event Management Tools (UKIM)
- Franziska Schwarz – DORA and ISO in Cyber Resilience I (SRH)
- Prof. Aleksandra Mileva – Network Steganography Explained – Hiding Patterns and Countermeasures (Goce Delcev University in Stip, UKIM)
- Franziska Schwarz – DORA and ISO in Cyber Resilience II (SRH)
- Klaus Schwarz – AI-Enhanced OSINT II (SRH)
The week included several important governance meetings, such as the Executive Board, Quality Assurance Board, and Master Management Committee, all of which contribute to the ongoing success of the programme. Prof. Danilo Gligoroski, the external chair of CyberMACS’s Quality Assurance Board and a professor of Information Security and Cryptology at NTNU, attended the third Quality Assurance Board meeting in person this week in Istanbul, which made the event even more special.
Week 2 (27-30 Jan) Highlight
Masterclass Workshop with Bozidar Spirovski
The second week culminated in a Masterclass Workshop led by the esteemed Bozidar Spirovski, Founder and CISO of BeyondMachines.net.
This transformative session offered participants a deep dive into essential topics, such as:
- Building Cyber Resilience: Practical insights into ensuring organizational robustness in the face of emerging threats.
- Managing Vulnerabilities and Risks: Strategies for identifying, addressing, and mitigating risks to maintain secure systems.
- Ensuring Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Tools to prepare for and recover from disruptions while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Bozidar’s workshop stood out as a highlight of the Winter School, equipping participants with actionable strategies and practical tools to navigate the complexities of today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Looking Back: Why CyberMACS Winter School 2025 Was Unmissable
Participants left the Winter School equipped with:
- Enhanced expertise from world-class speakers and engaging hands-on workshops.
- Valuable connections with peers, mentors, and industry leaders.
- Opportunities to present their research and receive constructive feedback.
- Practical tools and skills to advance their careers in cybersecurity and AI.
The CyberMACS Winter School 2025 demonstrated the power of collaboration between academy and industry in shaping the future of cybersecurity and AI, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.
Keep an eye out for upcoming CyberMACS events and updates by visiting our website (www.cybermacs.eu) and follow us on social media!
