Advancing Cybersecurity for the Public Good
CCSIR is Romania's leading independent research organization dedicated to cybersecurity education, responsible disclosure, and digital resilience across Europe.
15+
Years of Impact
17.5K+
Community Members
50+
Countries Reached
100+
Partner Organizations
Proud organiser of DefCamp
About CCSIR
Institutional Identity
CCSIR - Asociatia Centrul de Cercetare in Securitate Informatica din Romania (Cyber Security Research Center from Romania) - is an independent, non-profit organization established to advance cybersecurity research, education, and public awareness in Romania and internationally.
As a long-term institutional actor in the cybersecurity ecosystem, CCSIR serves as a bridge between research and practice, connecting academia with industry, youth with opportunity, and civil society with public institutions.
Our independence ensures objectivity in research, neutrality in collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to the public interest. We operate transparently, with governance structures designed for accountability and long-term continuity.
Through strategic partnerships with public authorities, private sector leaders, academic institutions, and international organizations, CCSIR amplifies its impact across borders while remaining rooted in Romanian society. Past initiatives include Ladies in Cyber Security, a conference dedicated to women in infosec.
Core Focus Areas
Registered NGO
Legally constituted non-profit association under Romanian law
Public Interest
Operating exclusively for public benefit, not commercial gain
International Reach
National roots with recognition across European and global networks
Proven Track Record
Over a decade of consistent contributions to cybersecurity advancement
Our Purpose
Vision, Mission & Strategic Objectives
A clear framework guiding our long-term institutional commitment to cybersecurity advancement.
Vision
A long-term contribution to national and international cybersecurity resilience, enabling a secure digital society built on responsible innovation and ethical technology use.
Mission
To promote, coordinate, and implement cybersecurity research, education, and awareness initiatives that serve the public interest and strengthen Romania's digital security posture.
Strategic Objectives
Guiding principles for measurable impact
Increase cybersecurity awareness at societal level
Develop practical skills and applied knowledge
Support critical infrastructure and public safety
Foster ethical hacking and responsible disclosure
Create sustainable communities and partnerships
Enable cross-sector and international cooperation
What We Do
Areas of Activity
A structured and scalable approach to advancing cybersecurity across multiple domains, from research to education, from awareness to international collaboration.
Research & Applied Cybersecurity
Conducting and supporting original research in information security, vulnerability analysis, threat intelligence, and emerging security challenges.
Education & Youth Development
Building the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through training programs, mentorship, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Public Awareness & Societal Resilience
Raising public consciousness about cyber threats, digital hygiene, and safe online practices to strengthen society's collective defense.
Critical Infrastructure & Public Safety
Focusing on security challenges facing essential services, industrial systems, and public sector digital infrastructure.
Community & Ecosystem Building
Creating sustainable networks that connect security researchers, practitioners, students, and organizations in collaborative ecosystems.
International Cooperation
Engaging with global partners, participating in international initiatives, and contributing to cross-border cybersecurity efforts.
Flagship Platform
DefCamp Ecosystem
DefCamp is more than a conference - it is a comprehensive ecosystem platform that enables research dissemination, community growth, talent discovery, and collaborative innovation in cybersecurity.
As one of the largest cybersecurity conferences in Central and Eastern Europe, DefCamp serves as CCSIR's primary vehicle for achieving its mission at scale, bringing together thousands of participants annually.
Conference & Talks
World-class speakers sharing research, insights, and best practices in cybersecurity
Villages & Workshops
Hands-on learning environments for specialized security domains
Competitions & CTFs
Challenging events that test and develop practical security skills
Community & Networking
Connecting professionals, researchers, students, and enthusiasts
15+
Annual Editions
2200+
Yearly Attendees
100+
Expert Speakers
50+
Countries Represented
Moments That Matter
Building the Cybersecurity Community
From world-class conferences to hands-on workshops, our events bring together thousands of professionals, researchers, and students every year.
15+
Annual Editions
2,200+
Yearly Participants
100+
Expert Speakers
50+
Countries Represented
Our Impact
Programs, Competitions & Initiatives
Each initiative is designed as a sustainable program with clear objectives, target audiences, and measurable outcomes - not one-time events.
Crack the SCADA
Hands-on competition targeting the SCADA-controlled Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) of a simulated energy utility. Participants compromise and demonstrate impact on OT/SCADA systems - identifying vulnerabilities in servers and PLCs, maintaining stealth, and producing detailed write-ups to improve critical infrastructure security.
- Gain unauthorized access to SCADA-controlled ATS and disrupt power distribution
- Identify and exploit vulnerabilities in SCADA servers and PLC environment
- Demonstrate impact and submit reproducible write-ups for defense improvement
- OT/ICS security researchers
- Infrastructure operators
- Red team practitioners
- Energy sector
- Industrial partners
- National authorities
Flagship CTF · Since 2011
DefCamp Capture the Flag (D-CTF)
One of the oldest and most significant security CTF competitions in Central and Eastern Europe, running since 2011. Every year the qualifiers draw thousands of teams from 90+ countries; the top teams advance to the onsite final in Bucharest.
D-CTF has run since 2011 as a computer security competition and educational exercise: participants gain experience in securing systems and handling real-world-style attacks. The qualifiers run online every year with thousands of teams from 90+ countries; the best advance to the onsite final in Bucharest.
Quals are traditional Jeopardy; the final is Attack & Defence-each team defends a machine on an isolated network and is scored on both defending their box and attacking others. Reverse-engineering, protocol analysis, programming, and cryptanalysis are among the skills required.
D-CTF at DefCamp – rules, prizes & registrationJeopardy & Attack & Defence
Qualification phase is traditional Jeopardy; the final in Bucharest is Attack & Defence. Top teams compete for prizes and recognition.
Real-world challenges
AI & ML, Cyber War, Cryptography, Steganography, Web & Network Security, Forensics, Reverse Engineering, Blockchain, Exploitation, Incident Response, and more.
International prizes
1st €1,536 · 2nd €1,024 · 3rd €512 · Best Team from Romania €512 · Best Write-up €512 (online & onsite).
Hack before getting hacked
Max 5 members per team. One rule: find the flags-or get found. Problems are challenging, unique, and inspired by the latest threats.
Global talent development
Global Cybersecurity Camp (GCC)
DefCamp proudly represents Romania at the Global Cybersecurity Camp-the first European member. We select up to three Romanian students each year to attend; travel and accommodation are fully covered.
3-5
Romanian students selected yearly
50
Students at each GCC edition
10+
Countries represented
Team at GCC
Training & workshops
Results & recognition
GCC experience
Global Cybersecurity CampGCC is an annual international week-long cybersecurity talent development camp. Leading communities from Asia-Pacific, Europe, and beyond send students to train together, work in mixed international teams, and tackle real technical and collaborative challenges.
Our representatives step into an intense, immersive experience-advanced training by day, cross-border teamwork by evening. It's the kind of experience that reshapes perspectives and builds the mindset of future global cybersecurity leaders.
Learn more & applyInternational exposure
Collaborate with students and institutions from around the world in mixed international teams.
Networking & collaboration
Build lasting connections with peers and professionals in a real infosec workforce setting.
World-class training
Advanced technical modules, workshops, and mentorship from seasoned cybersecurity professionals.
Recognition & growth
Our students have placed in team competitions and earned industry recognition-we send talent that competes.
2019 – concluded
Ladies in Cyber Security
Ladies in Cyber Security was a cybersecurity conference focused on providing guidance and support to women seeking to advance their infosec careers.
Highly skilled professionals and community leaders shared their hands-on experience to help like-minded women accelerate their personal and professional growth.
The conference featured an exclusively female speaker line-up with insights and helpful guidance that everyone could use. It brought into the spotlight amazing women from the cybersecurity field ready to share hands-on experience, inspire, and disrupt the world of cybersecurity-and gave them an opportunity to shine and teach others how to do it.
Exclusively female speaker line-up
Amazing women from the cybersecurity field sharing hands-on experience and inspiring the community.
Guidance & support
Highly skilled professionals and community leaders helping women advance their infosec careers.
Gender-balanced teams
We believe gender-balanced teams bring great results; the conference gave women a chance to shine and teach.
Measurable Results
Impact & Results
Quantifiable indicators demonstrating our longitudinal contribution to cybersecurity advancement at national and international levels.
15+
Years of Continuous Activity
Sustained institutional commitment since founding
17,500+
Community Members Engaged
Professionals, students, and enthusiasts reached
50+
Countries Represented
International participation and recognition
50+
Competitions & Challenges
Security competitions and hands-on challenges hosted to date
100+
Partner Organizations
Cross-sector collaboration network
2,200+
Yearly Event Participants
Attendees at flagship conference and activities annually
Partner with a Proven Institution
Our track record demonstrates sustained impact and responsible stewardship. Join us in advancing cybersecurity for the public interest.
Next Generation
Youth, Education & Talent Development
150
Students Financed Yearly
200+
Schools Reached
85%
Career Placement
We invest in the next generation by financing free access for 150 students every year, partnering with events, offering scholarships, and sending young talent to international conferences and competitions.
Our youth programs combine hands-on education with real-world exposure. Students benefit from event partnerships, scholarships, and the chance to attend international events-building the skills and networks that define successful careers in cybersecurity.
Free Access for Students
Every year we finance free access for 150 students to our programs and events.
Event Partnerships
We partner with events to create learning and networking opportunities for young talent.
Scholarships & Support
We offer scholarships and other support to help students pursue cybersecurity education and careers.
International Exposure
We send students to international events so they can learn from and connect with the global community.
Recognition & Coverage
Trusted by Institutions Worldwide
As the largest cybersecurity conference in Central and Eastern Europe and the first European member of the Global Cybersecurity Camp, DefCamp is recognized across the international stage.
As Featured In
"DefCamp proudly represents Romania at the Global Cybersecurity Camp, marking a historic milestone as the first European member of the GCC alliance spanning 11 countries."
Global Cybersecurity Camp
GCC Membership Recognition
Recent Coverage
DefCamp 2025 Turns Bucharest Into the Regional Cybersecurity Hub at Its 15th Edition
Shaping a Secure Future at DefCamp 2024 in Bucharest, Romania
DefCamp Expands With First Spin-Off Edition in Cluj-Napoca
Global Cybersecurity Camp
First European Member
Annual Editions
Since 2011
Countries Represented
17,500+ Cumulative Participants
Largest in the Region
Central & Eastern Europe
Collaboration Network
Partnerships & Institutional Collaboration
Building bridges across sectors to amplify impact and ensure that cybersecurity efforts serve the broadest public interest.
NGOs & Civil Society
Collaboration with non-profit organizations working on digital rights, privacy, and public interest technology.
Public Authorities
Partnerships with government agencies and institutions responsible for national cybersecurity and digital policy.
Law Enforcement
Cooperation with police and investigative bodies on cybercrime prevention, training, and operational support.
International Partners
Engagement with global organizations, conferences, and initiatives advancing cybersecurity worldwide.
Corporate Supporters
Private sector partnerships that provide resources, expertise, and reach for public interest initiatives.
Become a Strategic Partner
Long-term collaboration on research, education, and awareness initiatives.
Learn MoreSupport a Program
Targeted support for specific initiatives aligned with your interests.
View ProgramsInstitutional Trust
Governance, Independence & Transparency
The foundation of credible public interest work is transparent governance and demonstrated accountability to stakeholders.
Governance Model
Transparent organizational structure with clear roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes aligned with Romanian NGO regulations.
Non-Profit Integrity
Strict adherence to non-profit principles ensuring all resources are directed toward public interest objectives, not private gain.
Financial Transparency
Commitment to open financial reporting and accountability to members, partners, donors, and the broader community.
Long-Term Continuity
Institutional design ensuring organizational resilience, knowledge preservation, and sustained impact beyond individual leadership.
As an independent organization, CCSIR maintains strict editorial and operational independence from commercial and political interests. Our governance ensures that research integrity, educational quality, and public benefit remain our guiding principles in all activities.
Join Us
Ways to Get Involved
Multiple pathways to contribute to public interest cybersecurity, each with clear expectations and value propositions.
Partners
Strategic organizational partnerships for long-term collaboration on research, education, and awareness.
Multi-year commitment, resource sharing, joint programming
Co-branding, access to network, influence on direction
Sponsors
Financial and in-kind support for specific programs, events, or institutional operations.
Financial contribution, event participation, visibility support
Brand exposure, community goodwill, talent access
Members
Individual and organizational membership in the CCSIR community with participation rights.
Annual membership, community participation, value alignment
Voting rights, member benefits, network access
Volunteers & Mentors
Contribute time and expertise to programs, events, and youth development initiatives.
Time commitment, skill sharing, professional conduct
Personal development, community impact, recognition
Donors
Individual contributions to support CCSIR's public interest mission and programs.
One-time or recurring donations, no strings attached
Tax benefits, impact reports, donor recognition
Ready to Make an Impact?
Whether you represent an organization looking for strategic partnership, a company interested in sponsorship, or an individual wanting to contribute, we welcome your interest in advancing public interest cybersecurity.
Get Started
Advance Cybersecurity for the Public Interest
Join CCSIR in building a more secure digital society. Whether through partnership, sponsorship, or direct involvement, your contribution matters.