In a context where artificial intelligence, new European regulations, and the growing number of cyber threats are rapidly transforming the way organizations operate, the need for practical dialogue and collaboration between industry, public authorities, research, and the legal sector is becoming increasingly important. Starting from these challenges, Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) organized Cybersecurity Week between May 4–8, 2026 — a series of events dedicated to cybersecurity, digital governance, and organizational resilience.
Organized in partnership with Ventures’n’Law, MERIT, CAMPUS, GRC Community, Levi9 și NCC RO – the National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity, the initiative brought together experts from Romania and across the European ecosystem to address topics such as the NIS2 Directive, AI use in the workplace, cybersecurity funding opportunities, and the balance between innovation and digital security.
Over the course of five days, events held online, in Iași, and in international connection with Trento, Italy, created a collaborative space for companies, public institutions, researchers, cybersecurity specialists, and legal professionals, in a format focused on practical solutions and relevant knowledge exchange for organizations in the region.
From Awareness to Organizational Cybersecurity Culture
The week opened on Monday, May 4, with the online session “009 agents or How to empower people with Security topic” delivered by Tanya van Witzenburg, Headquarter Information Security Officer at Levi9. The event proposed a different perspective on cybersecurity, showing how security can move beyond policies and rules to become a topic that actively engages and motivates people within an organization.
Drawing from Levi9’s experience, the presentation highlighted concrete steps, challenges, and lessons learned in building a security-oriented organizational culture. Through practical examples and stories from the company’s activity, the discussion emphasized that the success of cybersecurity initiatives depends not only on procedures and compliance, but also on empathy, community, and the ability to make security relevant and accessible to the entire team.
How AI and NIS2 Are Changing the Rules for Companies
On Tuesday, May 5, the local community gathered at Fab Lab 3 Iași for the event “Community Q&A – AI, Privacy, IP, Employment, CyberSec” organized together with Ventures’n’Law. The session was moderated by Andrei Pavel and Maria Posteuca from Ventures’n’Law, who opened the discussion on the legal and organizational implications of artificial intelligence and the new obligations introduced by the NIS2 Directive.
The discussions addressed key topics for companies undergoing digital transformation: system monitoring in the AI era, the balance between cybersecurity governance and employee rights, the use of AI tools in the workplace, and the management of cybersecurity incidents and data breaches.
The open Q&A format encouraged experience sharing and clarification of practical challenges faced by organizations in the region, turning the session into an applied dialogue space between legal experts, entrepreneurs, and technology professionals.
Financing Digital Resilience: From Opportunities to Concrete Solutions
On Wednesday, May 6, the special edition of “Funding Wednesdays” brought together representatives from DIZ, NCC RO, and DNSC to present funding opportunities available in the field of cybersecurity.
The discussions highlighted both the needs identified in the North-East Region and the tools through which companies and public institutions can access support for developing digital infrastructures, improving cybersecurity levels, and strengthening specialized skills.
The event also emphasized the role of EDIH hubs in facilitating access to testing services, mentoring, funding, and innovation support for organizations undergoing digital transformation.
Connecting European Ecosystems for a Safer Digital Future
The international dimension of the week was strengthened on Thursday, May 7, through the MERIT – International Industry Engagement Workshop on Cybersecurity, organized simultaneously online and at Fondazione Bruno Kessler in Trento, Italy.
Representatives from industry, research, and academia discussed emerging cybersecurity challenges, the development of necessary skills, and the importance of European collaboration in strengthening digital resilience.
The event created a dialogue space between international ecosystems and opened new perspectives for cooperation in education, research, and innovation in cybersecurity.
AI, Risk, and Governance: Conversations for the Years Ahead
Cybersecurity Week concluded on Friday, May 8, with Innovation Coffee enabled by DIZ #3 – Cybersecurity Edition, hosted at the TUIASI Innovation Hub in Iași. The event focused on one of today’s most pressing topics: how to maintain a balance between accelerated AI-driven innovation and the need for responsible governance.
Together with Ana Schipor, Director of Engineering at Signant Health, and Valentin Măzăreanu, CISO and GRC consultant, participants discussed the integration of emerging technologies into critical systems, risk management, and data protection in an increasingly complex digital environment.
The dialogue highlighted that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical component, but an essential condition for organizational stability and sustainable growth.
A Regional Ecosystem Translating European Priorities into Local Impact
Cybersecurity Week 2026 brought together specialists from industry, the legal sector, research, and public administration in a series of events dedicated to today’s cybersecurity and AI challenges. Through topics such as NIS2, AI governance, cybersecurity funding, and European collaboration, the initiative highlighted the need for an integrated and practical approach to digital transformation.
For Digital Innovation Zone, this week reconfirmed the role of EDIH hubs in connecting European priorities with the real needs of organizations in the region and in contributing to the development of a more prepared and resilient digital ecosystem.
