Cyber experts from 40 public and private organisations participated in the second edition of the 'Resilient Trident' cyber exercise, which took place in Bucharest, April 27-28.

According to the Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate (DNSC), the exercise, organised within the framework of the 'Cyber Alliance for Regional Resilience', marked a new step in strengthening regional cooperation between Romania, Moldova and Ukraine.

This new strategic cooperation framework aims to consolidate cyber resilience at regional level and was officially launched by the signing in February, 2026, in Kyiv of a Trilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre under the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NCSCC), the Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate (DNSC) and the Cybersecurity Agency of the Republic of Moldova (ASC).

The exercise included high-level panels, specialised technical sessions, tabletop exercises (TTX), a capture-the-flag (CTF) and a 'live-fire' component.

The hardcore part of the 'Resilient Trident' was reserved for a selected group of experienced players representing not less than 22 participating institutions (13 from Romania, 6 from Ukraine and 3 from Moldova). All the goals were achieved, specifically regarding the development of joint cyber capabilities and cross-border resilience, according to a DNSC press release.

The initiative successfully built trust while enhancing institutional readiness and regional ties.

Sorin Cirstea, presidential adviser for National Security, secretary of the Supreme Council for National Defence, said that this new framework of trilateral cooperation, the Cyber Alliance for Regional Resilience between Romania-Moldova-Ukraine, implements the strategic decisions of the Odessa format and benefits from a very strong support from all Romanian governmental institutions and decision makers.

'The format of regional cybersecurity exercises such as Resilient Trident represents a powerful platform for consolidating trust and cooperation, as well as an essential instrument for strengthening our collective resilience,' Cirstea is quoted as saying in the release.

In her turn, Nataliya Tkachuk, secretary of the National Cyber Security Coordination Center (NCSCC), head of the Department of Information Security and Cyber Defence within the Office of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine said that 'the Cyber Alliance for Regional Resilience of Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova is not merely a framework for cooperation, but a practical partnership to confront emerging threats together.'

'It is also a clear message to our common adversary: our true strength lies in unity, freedom, democratic values, and readiness to support one another, because we are unbreakable when we stand together,' said Tkachuk.

According to Ion Vintila, deputy director, Cybersecurity Agency of the Republic of Moldova (ASC), the second edition of the 'Resilient Trident' exercise has clearly demonstrated that cyber resilience can no longer be treated as an isolated national responsibility.

'The Republic of Moldova, along with Romania and Ukraine, faces the same threat vector. The Cybersecurity Agency of the Republic of Moldova will continue to invest in strengthening our technical and strategic capabilities, as well as in partnerships with our regional and Euro-Atlantic allies, in order to defend our common cyberspace and support our country's European path,' said Vintila.

The ambassador of Ukraine to Romania, Ihor Prokopchuk, said that the signing of the memorandum on the establishment of the Cyber Alliance for Regional Resilience, on February 20, 2026, in Kyiv, marked a landmark step towards a more structured and practical cooperation. Cyberattacks against energy and other critical infrastructure remain a persistent threat, affecting both Ukraine and countries of the European Union. Against this backdrop, it is important that our region is demonstrating a growing capacity for joint response.

'Ukraine-Romania-Republic of Moldova cooperation format - the Odesa Triangle which was formally launched last year- is gradually evolving into an effective platform of political consultations and practical cooperation, including in the area of cybersecurity and countering disinformation. I am confident that Resilient Trident 2026 will further strengthen our cooperation and enhance our preparedness for the challenges ahead,' said the Ukrainian diplomat.

The British ambassador to Romania, Giles Matthew Portman, also pointed out that we are facing common cyber threats to our critical infrastructure, to our information spaces, and so to our democracies, therefore closer regional co-operation is vital, including through initiatives like the Cyber Triple Alliance.

'The UK strongly supports this work to make us all safer, and we're keen to collaborate more with our friends and allies Romania, Ukraine and Moldova,' said Portman.

According to Michael L. Dickerson, deputy chief of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Romania, this exercise stands as a vivid demonstration of how the collective efforts of regional partners are enabling us to anticipate, deter, and respond effectively to cyber and hybrid threats - challenges that carry significant implications for the resilience of critical infrastructure and regional stability.

Andrei Paladuta, deputy chief of the Diplomatic Mission of Moldova to Romania said that together with Romania and Ukraine, Moldova reaffirms its commitment to strengthening cyber resilience through trust, cooperation, and joint action in the face of evolving threats, and exercises like 'Resilient Trident' confirm the essential role of these efforts in building our collective readiness.

Romania's Minister of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Irineu Darau, believes that the takeover of good practices and the exchange of know-how between Romania, Ukraine and Moldova will facilitate the creation of a cybersecurity and informational shield through which 'to defend our countries, and also decisively contribute to EU and NATO resilience.'

'In the structures of the Romanian state we require experts of the highest level. This is not a game, thus there is no compromise to be made, and the stake is existential,' Darau said.

According to the director of DNSC, Dan Cimpean, the 'Resilient Trident' exercise is a powerful example of what the Cyber Alliance for Regional Resilience between Romania, Ukraine and Republic of Moldova can deliver.

'These days, our teams of experts have worked together in Bucharest on sharing expertise, practicing operational tasks and strengthening joint capabilities.

We remain committed to an increase of our joint regional efforts that contribute to a stronger, more resilient, and better coordinated cybersecurity posture,' said Cimpean.

The 'Resilient Trident' exercise was organised by DNSC alongside NCSCC and ASC, with support from the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine), the European Union Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova), the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) through the National Cyberint Centre (CNC), BIT SENTINEL, the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre (E-ARC), and the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA). AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Nicoleta Gherasi; EN - editing by: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)