A workshop on cybersecurity titled "Secure the story!" was held in Tarčin on March 5, 2024. The event brought together journalists, editors, and other professionals from the media sector to familiarize themselves with the basics of cyber hygiene and best practices for securing digital devices and networks. Nearly thirty participants had the opportunity to expand their knowledge of identifying fake news and applying fact-checking techniques and sources. Additionally, participants discussed strategies for secure communication using secure tools and platforms, as well as encryption methods to protect sensitive communications. Journalists had the chance to actively engage through interactive exercises, case studies and practical application of secure communication tools.
"We live in a digital world where personal data is crucial. It's important to understand that they are the target of numerous cybercriminals. We constantly hear about data breaches and cyber threats affecting millions of users. Most companies and institutions are struggling to protect their data from hackers and cybercriminals, and you also need to be part of that fight", said one of the speakers, Enes Halilović, Network Technology Manager at the Cyber Security Excellence Centre (CSEC).
Enes Hodžić, from the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIRN BiH/Detektor), spoke about identifying false information and fact-checking techniques.
"Fact-checking is one of the most important tools used in the fight against disinformation and generally in protecting journalists from inaccurate information that could leak into the media space. This is especially important nowadays when numerous crises erupt worldwide and when numerous propaganda machines try various ways to push their plans and activities through disinformation. It is very important that we protect our readers, listeners, and viewers from the unwanted effects of disinformation", Hodžić said.
Cybersecurity expert and director of CSEC, Predrag Puharić, introduced participants to tools for secure communication, presenting their advantages and disadvantages.
"We also presented ways of securely storing research data, ways of anonymizing our presence on the internet to prevent the malicious use of our private data online. This is very important in the development of democratic societies where journalists can work safely and confidently", Puharić added.
The workshop aimed to provide a deeper understanding of key cybersecurity issues and how to integrate them into professional work, with a particular emphasis on protecting personal data, identity, and digital resources from cyber attacks. The organizer was the Cyber Security Excellence Centre (CSEC), with the support of the United Kingdom Government and in partnership with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIRN BiH/Detektor) and Internews. Media outlets that participated in this event included BHR1, Radio Konjic, Oslobođenje, Fokus.ba, Independent Media Investigative Network Umbrella, RTV BPK Goražde, Bljesak, RTV Slon, Žurnal, Network of Peace and MediaCentar Sarajevo.
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