Western Balkan and Moldovan Authorities Enhance Knowledge on Cyber Patrolling

Fourteen representatives of authorities from the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova gathered for the Cyber Patrolling Training organised by SEESAC in Belgrade, Serbia on 20-21 October 2022. The two-day event improved participants’ situational analysis of criminal behaviour regarding arms trafficking on the web and specifically focused on collection of relevant data from online sources as a preparatory activity for the upcoming Joint Action Days.

The training allowed participants to reflect on the previously conducted cyber patrolling activities and gave insights into preparing the secure environment for performing open-source intelligence activities. The participants also learned about various tools for conducting cyber patrolling and had a chance to conduct a practical exercise. Finally, they were presented with the Joint Action Days’ activities.

To enable jurisdictions’ full operational participation in the Joint Action Days and future online investigations, SEESAC handed them over hardware previously equipped with relevant investigative and research tools. The authorities’ representatives were assisted in setting these tools up and trained on their use to collect necessary intelligence in preparation and during the upcoming Joint Action Days.

This activity was organised within the regional IPA project Support for Enhancing the Fight Against the Illegal Possession, Misuse, and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in the Western Balkans, and the EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/2111 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe.