Working in teams, participants engaged in a scenario-based exercise representing different sectors and roles responding to a cyber incident affecting critical infrastructure. Exercise connected policy with implementation, demonstrating that cyber diplomacy is as much about putting agreed norms into practice as it is about negotiating them, underlining that effective cooperation requires not only shared principles, but also strong institutions, trusted partnerships and practical understanding.

As cyber threats continue to transcend borders, effective international cooperation depends on professionals who understand and bridge diplomatic, legal, policy and geopolitical processes. By equipping experts with a shared understanding and facilitating dialogue across regions and disciplines, the Summer School strengthened global cyber capacity building efforts and supports European Union’s commitment to a secure, stable, open and rules-based cyberspace and societies.

• Preview of the Summer School: https://www.eucybernet.eu/eu-cybernet-summer-school-2026-to-focus-on-cyber-diplomacy/
• First day conclusions: https://www.eucybernet.eu/eu-cybernet-summer-school-2026-day-1-in-review-navigating-the-evolving-landscape-of-cyber-diplomacy/
• Second day conclusions: https://www.eucybernet.eu/eu-cybernet-summer-school-2026-day-2-in-review-from-principles-to-practice-in-cyber-diplomacy/
• Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eucybernet/albums/72177720334766480/

EU CyberNet Summer School 2026, titled “Cyber Diplomacy: From Norms to Actions – Governing Cyberspace in a Fractured World” was organised by EU CyberNet in partnership with EU Cyber Direct, and Cyber 4.0 , with expertise from the European External Action Service, at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy from 29 to 31 July 2026. Summer School 2026 was led by Isabella Brunner (EU CyberNet instructor),  Andrea Calderaro (EU Cyber Direct, European Union Institute for Security Studies – EUISS) and Michal Aendenhof (European Union External Action Service – EEAS) .