Join us for an interactive training on building resilience and countering hybrid threats, one of the fastest-moving and most consequential security challenges facing governments and institutions today. This two-day course provides a practical, up-to-date understanding of the security landscape and the legal and policy tools available to mitigate and respond to hybrid threats. You will also explore how to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure, both domestically and through multilateral bodies such as NATO, equipping you to navigate the grey zone between peace and war with confidence.
Hybrid attacks - combining information manipulation, cyberattacks, economic coercion, and threats of military force - are growing in frequency and sophistication. What is new is not the tactics themselves, but the speed, scale and intensity with which they are deployed, facilitated by rapid technological change and global interconnectivity.
In response, the EU has established a hybrid toolbox following the adoption of the Strategic Compass in March 2022. Since 2024, the Netherlands has prioritised increasing social resilience and military preparedness through a whole-of-society approach, providing not only effective defence, but also strong deterrence.
Although relevant domestic and international legal norms apply to the actions of hybrid adversaries, the biggest challenge lies in attributing malicious hybrid activities and ensuring accountability.
Co-organised by the Asser Institute and International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT), this short course is designed to support better understanding of and preparedness against hybrid threats.
During this course, you will benefit from:
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An informed understanding of the (inter)national security landscape and what hybrid threats are.
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Practical and academic insights on preventing and mitigating malicious cyber activities in contrast to (non-)military threats.
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Critical reflections on how and where (inter)national legal tools can play an important role in mitigating and responding to hybrid threats.
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Forward-looking reflection and interactive discussion on risk mitigation and enhancing (cyber) defences and building long-term resilience against hybrid threats domestically and internationally.
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Opportunities to engage with one another and the speakers through group work and case studies relevant to your own work.
About the programme
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Day one focuses on understanding, preventing, mitigating, and countering various hybrid threats.
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Day two zooms in on enhancing societal and infrastructural resilience through risk assessment, (re)evaluation, and mitigation.
Confirmed speakers:
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Prof. Machiko Kanetake (University of Amsterdam)
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Dr Kacper Rekawek (International Centre for Counter-Terrorism - ICCT)
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Dr Rumyana van Ark (Asser Institute)
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Dr Taylor Woodcock (Asser Institute)
Who can attend?
We designed this programme for people who need practical rather than theoretical answers. The training welcomes security officials, policymakers, academics, tech experts, police officers, and professionals working at the intersection of law, security, technology, human rights, and international affairs to explore practical and lawful solutions to malicious hybrid attacks. No legal background is required.
This course offers an interactive and necessary forum for multidisciplinary discussions and knowledge exchange on preventing, mitigating and countering hybrid threats.
Interested?
Registration for this course is now open. If you cannot join this year, please fill out this form to stay informed about future editions and upcoming enrolment dates.
Fee: €995
Please read the terms and conditions carefully before registering.
Contact
If you have any questions about the training course, please send us an email at educationtraining@asser.nl. We will try to respond within two business days.