The Open University of Cyprus participated in and supported 'Crossed Swords 2025', one of the most advanced and realistic international cybersecurity exercises, through its Cybersecurity and Telecommunications Research Laboratory (CTRL).
According to a university press release, the exercise took place in Tallinn, Estonia, from 3 to 7 November, 2025, with OUC being led by the Rector and founder of CTRL, Professor Stavros Stavrou, accompanied by Laboratory researchers, Savvas Theodoulou and Georgios Potamos.
As stated, within the framework of the exercise, the Open University of Cyprus and CTRL staffed the “Green Team,” providing a specialised component of the multi-domain Cyber Range developed by CTRL, with their contribution focusing on simulating and supporting maritime situational awareness and cybersecurity processes — a capability critical for implementing realistic attack scenarios by the “Red Teams” attempting to manipulate the operational picture of maritime systems.
It is added that CTRL’s multi-domain Cyber Range, utilised over the past six years in national, European, and international Cybersecurity exercises, integrates and emulates ICT/ICS/OT functions, including AIS, GNSS, Radar, and other specialised systems.
Professor Stavrou, an expert in cybersecurity and electronic warfare, said the participation of CTRL in Crossed Swords 2025 was a milestone, "as for the first time a Cypriot university research team provided a fully operational and educationally realistic infrastructure to the exercise."
"It is a great honour for OUC and CTRL to contribute to a global event involving more than 40 countries. Cyber training must reflect real operational structures and needs, and the capabilities and expertise of CTRL directly support this requirement," he added.
At the same time, Professor Stavrou emphasised the importance of developing applied postgraduate programs in the fields of cybersecurity, security, and defence, highlighting the crucial role of practical training in preparing professionals to deal with modern technological threats.
Indicative examples include OUC’s postgraduate programmes 'Computer and Network Security' and 'Security and Defence,' the latter offered jointly with the Hellenic Air Force Academy, the press release concludes.
(Source: CNA)
