Understanding the Romanian National Computer Security Incident Response Team (CERT-RO)

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, national-level readiness and rapid response mechanisms are crucial to safeguarding digital infrastructures. Romania, as an increasingly important player in the European cybersecurity ecosystem, has established a dedicated entity to combat cyber threats: the Romanian National Computer Security Incident Response Team, commonly known as CERT-RO.

This article provides an in-depth overview of CERT-RO, covering its mission, organizational structure, responsibilities, services, partnerships, and Romania’s broader cybersecurity posture.

1. What is CERT-RO?

CERT-RO stands for Centrul Național de Răspuns la Incidente de Securitate Cibernetică, or The National Cyber Security Incident Response Center in English.

It is a national public institution tasked with detecting, analyzing, preventing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents that affect information systems across Romania. CERT-RO functions under the authority of the Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization (MCID) and plays a critical role in both national and EU cybersecurity ecosystems.

2. Mission and Vision

Mission

The primary mission of CERT-RO is to:

Improve national cybersecurity posture.
Provide proactive and reactive support for handling cyber incidents.
Foster cooperation between public and private sectors in securing digital assets.

Vision

CERT-RO aims to be a trusted and resilient cybersecurity center, contributing to a secure digital Romania through constant improvement, innovation, and collaboration.

3. Core Responsibilities

CERT-RO is responsible for a broad spectrum of cybersecurity tasks at the national level, including:

a. Cybersecurity Incident Handling

Receive, analyze, and respond to incident reports from institutions, businesses, and citizens.
Coordinate incident resolution and facilitate communication between affected parties.

b. Monitoring and Early Warning

Operate a national cybersecurity monitoring platform.
Issue alerts and advisories regarding new vulnerabilities, threats, and attack campaigns.

c. Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)

Collect and analyze information on cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
Share intelligence with domestic stakeholders and international partners.

d. Public Awareness and Education

Conduct public campaigns, workshops, and training sessions on cybersecurity.
Provide guidance for individuals, SMEs, and public institutions.

e. Policy and Regulatory Support

Contribute to the development and enforcement of national and EU cybersecurity regulations.
Support implementation of the NIS Directive and EU Cybersecurity Act.

4. Organizational Structure

While CERT-RO’s detailed internal structure is subject to change, it typically includes:

Incident Response Unit – Coordinates technical analysis and mitigation.
Threat Intelligence and Research Division – Focuses on threat trends and vulnerabilities.
Awareness and Outreach Team – Engages in public education and stakeholder communication.
Legal and Policy Department – Ensures alignment with national and EU laws.
International Cooperation Unit – Manages collaboration with foreign and EU cybersecurity bodies.

5. Services Offered by CERT-RO

✅ Incident Response

First-level technical support during incidents.
Coordination with other CSIRTs or CERTs when international threats arise.

✅ Cyber Alerts and Bulletins

Dissemination of security advisories and vulnerability disclosures.
Real-time warnings about phishing, ransomware, DDoS, and other threats.

✅ Security Audits and Consultancy

Assistance for public institutions in assessing their IT security posture.
Recommendations for enhancing cyber defense capabilities.

✅ Training and Capacity Building

Seminars, workshops, and certification programs.
Specialized training for critical infrastructure operators and government personnel.

✅ Public Reporting Platform

Citizens and organizations can report cybersecurity incidents via CERT-RO’s official website.

6. Legal and Strategic Framework

CERT-RO operates under national and European cybersecurity frameworks:

Romanian Cybersecurity Law No. 362/2018 (implementing the EU NIS Directive).
European Union Cybersecurity Act (EU 2019/881).
National Cybersecurity Strategy (2021–2026), in which CERT-RO is a key stakeholder.

As of recent developments, CERT-RO is expected to evolve into the National Directorate of Cybersecurity (DNSC), absorbing and expanding the current scope and responsibilities.

7. International Cooperation and Partnerships

CERT-RO actively collaborates with both regional and global cybersecurity stakeholders, including:

a. European Cooperation

Member of the European CSIRT Network.
Cooperates with ENISA (European Union Agency for Cybersecurity).
Involved in EU-wide cyber exercises like Cyber Europe and Blue OLEx.

b. Global Partnerships

Member of FIRST (Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams).
Member of TF-CSIRT (Task Force on Computer Security Incident Response Teams).
Cooperates with national CERTs across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

c. NATO Cyber Defense Community

Participates in NATO cybersecurity initiatives and information exchanges.

8. Notable Initiatives and Achievements

CYBEREX Exercises – National-level simulation drills organized by CERT-RO to test and improve incident response capabilities.
Partnerships with universities – Collaborations to develop cybersecurity talent and promote research.
Public-private collaborations – Joint efforts with telecoms, energy providers, and financial institutions.
Development of the National Cyber Alert System for real-time threat dissemination.

9. Challenges Faced

Like other national CERTs, CERT-RO faces several challenges:

Keeping pace with evolving and sophisticated cyber threats.
Addressing the cybersecurity skills gap in Romania.
Enhancing the security posture of small municipalities and rural institutions.
Strengthening public trust and awareness in digital security.

10. Future Outlook

With the planned transformation of CERT-RO into the National Cybersecurity Directorate (DNSC), Romania aims to:

Strengthen centralized cybersecurity governance.
Improve response speed and coverage.
Implement new capabilities aligned with the EU Cybersecurity Strategy.
Foster a cyber-resilient society and economy.

Conclusion

The Romanian National Computer Security Incident Response Team (CERT-RO) is a cornerstone of Romania’s national cybersecurity infrastructure. Through technical expertise, regulatory involvement, public engagement, and international cooperation, CERT-RO has made significant strides in protecting Romania’s digital landscape.

As threats grow more complex, the role of CERT-RO—and its successor DNSC—will be increasingly vital in ensuring a safe, secure, and resilient cyberspace for Romania and the broader European community.