AUTUMN ITAPA 2024, Bratislava, Slovakia

The discussion covered Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO). We examined how preventive cyber strategies shape national security. This session discussed the US Department of Defense's "Defend Forward" and "Hunt Forward" initiatives, illustrating how offensive cyber actions can disrupt an adversary's capabilities before they strike.

Moderator: Rastislav Janota
NBÚ, special ambassador

Rastislav Janota has more than 20 years of experience in the IT and telecommunications sector. During his professional career, he held several expert and top managerial positions in ICT and cyber security in the private sector and public administration, both in Slovakia and in various countries abroad.

Since September 1, 2023, he has been working as a special envoy of the NBU for cyber security at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Washington, D.C., USA.

Presenter: Dr. Paul de Souza
Cyber Security Forum Initiative

Dr. Paul de Souza is the founder of the Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI). Dr. de Souza has over 20 years of cybersecurity experience. He is faculty at George Washington University and has worked as the Chief Security Engineer for AT&T, where he designed and approved secure networks for MSS (Managed Security Services). Dr. de Souza also worked as a security engineer for Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) and U.S. Robotics. He has consulted for several governments, military organizations, and private institutions across the globe. He served as a Federal Director of Training and Education for Norman Data Defense Systems.

Dr. de Souza serves as a CENTRIC (Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence & Organized Crime Research) Visiting Researcher at Sheffield Hallam University, U.K., and as a Guest Lecturer at the Swedish Defence University (SEDU) Försvarshögskolanand; former Institute of World Politics Board of Advisors for the Cyber Intelligence Initiative (Ci2) in Washington, D.C.; and served as an Advisor for the MCPA (Military Cyber Professionals Association). He is a Cyber SME NATO Instructor and an Order of Thor Medal recipient.

He is a Negev Hi-Tech Faculty Startup Accelerator Advisor for Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, and an Advisory Board member at IntellCorp (Lisbon, Portugal – Counter-Terrorism/Counter-Intelligence/Cyber). He has been a Visiting Research Fellow at the National Security Studies, Tel Aviv University, Israel (INSS) – Cyber Security and Military & Strategic Affairs Programs. He has completed the Executive Program in Counter-Terrorism Studies from the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya in Israel. He is also a Cybersecurity Exec Ed alum at Harvard Kennedy School. He serves as an American Public University Ambassador, a Cybersecurity Programs Advisory Board Member at Capitol Technology University, a Cybersecurity Advisory Committee member for the Cybersecurity Risk Management Master's program at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., a Professor of Cyber Threat Intelligence at The University of Georgia, Tbilisi, and an Executive in Residence at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), Geneva, Switzerland (CTI Information Sharing Policy Project Lead). Cyber Warfare Documentary Research Advisor for the documentary "Dawn of Cyber Warfare."

Dr. de Souza has a master's degree in National Security Studies (M.A.) with a concentration in Terrorism from American Military University, West Virginia, and a Ph.D. in Critical Infrastructure from Capitol Technology University, Maryland.

Presenter: Rani Goli
Ministry of Defence the Netherlands, IT advisor at the Dutch Ministry of Defence

An IT Advisor at the Dutch Ministry of Defense, Rani Goli operates at the intersection of technology, law, and security to safeguard the nation's interests in the digital domain. With expertise in EU digital law, emerging disruptive technologies, and cybersecurity, she coordinates initiatives integrating cutting-edge innovations while ensuring compliance with stringent legal frameworks.

At the Ministry, Rani developed Open-Source Intelligence systems with integrated GDPR compliance, ensuring intelligence operations are effective and adhere to privacy regulations. She has also analyzed the cyber kill chain and GDPR compliance in operational technology, gaining deep insights into evolving cyber threats and the importance of maintaining reliable defenses aligned with data protection laws. Her academic background includes a Security Studies and Crisis Management degree from Leiden University, specializing in Cyber Governance. Her thesis focused on industrial cyber espionage, enhancing her understanding of cyber threats impacting industries and nations. She is committed to advancing cybersecurity practices that protect the digital future while upholding principles of privacy and legality.

Event Pictures