NATO and EU Support Moldova’s Cyber Defence and Regional Resilience

This week in Chișinău, Moldova’s National Agency for Cyber Security hosted two strategic cybersecurity Table-Top Exercises, demonstrating Moldova’s commitment to strengthening both national readiness and regional cooperation.

The first exercise brought together key government institutions and the country’s critical telecommunications providers. Participants tested crisis response to a major cyber incident that could disrupt essential services and undermine public trust. The simulation challenged them with real-time decision-making, inter-agency coordination, and practical response strategies. It also helped uncover blind spots in communication and cooperation that might otherwise go unnoticed during a real crisis.

Building on this intensive cybersecurity stress test, Moldova continues to prepar, not just react. Additionally, it contributed to developing Moldova’s national crisis management framework and a private-public cooperation platform. Therefore, the exercise was a strategic investment in resilience, reinforcing coordination between public authorities and critical infrastructure, and underscoring a whole-of-society approach to cybersecurity.

The second day brought together cybersecurity experts and institutions from Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova for a regional Table-Top Exercise. Participants worked on joint decision-making, real-time information exchange, and building a unified crisis management approach grounded in national legislation, international law, and bilateral agreements. With cyber threats growing increasingly complex and transnational, regional cooperation is not just strategic, it’s essential.

Both exercises were organized and supported by the NATO–Republic of Moldova Professional Development Programme, the e-Governance Academy (through the EU Cybersecurity Rapid Assistance Project 2.0), and the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE).

The success of these exercises reflects the dedicated preparation and expertise of Lauri Luht, Klaid Mägi, and Erik Kursetgjerde, leading figures in the field who brought this important effort together.

Together, these efforts highlight Moldova’s active role in strengthening cybersecurity at home and across the region; because in today’s threat landscape, resilience is both a national priority and a shared responsibility.