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From Concept to Classroom: Behind the Winter School. Instructor Perspective from Rosaria Talarico.

Following the reflections from participants of the EU CyberNet Winter School 2026, we turn spotlight to people behind designing and delivering this iteration. From curriculum development to practical exercises and real-world case studies, instructors and co-organiser played a central role with the EU CyberNet team in shaping this learning expertise.

We discussed with them the reasons behind their involvement and what challenges cybersecurity professionals face today and how trainings like this help to become more resilient. After meeting Aleksi Rantaniemi from Traficom and Omar Ramadan from ObsidianCorps, we’ll conclude with instructor Rosaria Talarico from Frontex.

About

Rosaria Talarico from Frontex, is a strategic communication and crisis-management expert with senior experience across EU institutions, military public affairs, journalism and psychological operations, specializing in crisis communication, media relations, institutional storytelling and training under high-pressure, security-sensitive environments.

Why did you decide to focus a course specifically on crisis communication in cybersecurity?

Cyber incidents often start in silence but end in the spotlight. Because in a real cyber crisis, the technical response is only half of the story. The other half unfolds in boardrooms, inboxes, newsrooms and social media feeds. We designed this course to help organisations navigate that moment when a security incident becomes a public issue, and every word, pause and message counts.

What story were you hoping participants would take away from this experience?

That crises don’t reward improvisation. They reward preparation. Our goal was to help participants move from reacting under pressure to responding with intention. By the end of the course, they understood that effective communication is not damage control, it’s leadership and preparation in action.

How did the course bring this approach to life?

Through realistic scenarios, practical exercises and immersive simulations. Participants were placed in the middle of a cyber incident unfolding in real time: data breaches, internal escalations, regulatory concerns and intense media scrutiny. They had to make decisions quickly, align across teams and communicate clearly often with incomplete information, just like in real life. What made this experience even more meaningful was the fact that Frontex actively supported my participation. It’s a strong signal of how seriously they take cybersecurity, crisis preparedness, and responsible communication. Not just as technical issues, but as leadership priorities.

Media exposure can be one of the most stressful aspects of a cyber crisis. How did you address this?

Media training was a key component of the programme. We worked extensively on spokesperson preparation: how to handle tough questions, stay on message and communicate empathy and authority at the same time. Participants practiced interviews under pressure, learned how journalists think and discovered how body language, tone of voice and clarity can either build trust or undermine it in seconds.

What impact did this have on the participants?

Many told us it was a turning point. Facing a simulated press interview made the risks (and opportunities) of communication tangible. They realised that silence, defensiveness or technical jargon can be as damaging as the incident itself. The media training helped them feel more confident, credible and prepared to represent their organisations when it matters most.

Looking back, what made this course successful?

It connected cybersecurity, communication and human behaviour into one coherent story. Participants didn’t just learn frameworks: they experienced the pressure, the uncertainty and the responsibility of leading through a crisis. That experience stays with you long after the course ends. At least this is what many of them told me!

What’s next?

This training confirmed a growing awareness: cyber resilience is not only about technology, but about trust. And trust is built or lost through communication. Every word, tone and pause can shape it. Preparation is the difference between reacting and responding with purpose. Feedback asked for more courses and exercises!

— 

The EU CyberNet Winter School took place from 14 to 16 January 2026 in Helsinki, Finland and was organised by the EU CyberNet, a EU-funded project implemented by the Estonian Information System Authority and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in cooperation with the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency TRAFICOM. The first EU CyberNet Winter School welcomed more than 25 participants from 16 countries from Europe, North America, South America, the Caribbean and Africa from variety of backgrounds within the cybersecurity domain and expertise in dealing with cyber crisis management from public and private sectors and academia. 

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eucybernet/albums/72177720331319836/  



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