CERT Republika Srpska joins the global FIRST network

In early 2026, CERT Republika Srpska became a member of FIRST, the leading global community of computer incident response and cybersecurity teams.

Founded in 1990, FIRST today brings together hundreds of CSIRT/CERT teams from over 115 countries, with the aim of strengthening international cooperation, information sharing, and trust among organisations responsible for protecting the digital environment. Membership in this network enables direct access to trusted channels for sharing information on threats, vulnerabilities, and incidents - often in real time.

For the regional cybersecurity ecosystem, this represents an important step forward. The inclusion of additional teams from Southeast Europe into global coordination mechanisms contributes to improved threat visibility, faster incident response, and stronger collective resilience.

Sustained development despite challenges

The process of joining FIRST took several years. Initial steps began as early as 2020, but global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, slowed progress.

An additional challenge was the institutional transition in 2023, when CERT Republika Srpska underwent organisational restructuring and integration into a newly established ICT agency. Such transitions typically require updated procedures, strengthened governance and operational capabilities, and alignment with international standards.

Despite this, the team maintained continuity in its operational work - including incident handling, development of Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) services, as well as awareness-raising and training activities for various target groups.

Regional cooperation as a key enabler

A particularly important role in the final stage of the accession process was played by regional partners, including Nacionalni CERT Republike Srbije and CIRT državne uprave Crne Gore. Their support, through recommendations and professional cooperation, reflects a growing level of trust and coordination within the regional CSIRT community.

This type of collaboration is especially relevant given the increasing number of cross-border incidents, where isolated responses are no longer sufficient.

What this membership enables in practice

By joining FIRST, CERT Republika Srpska gains access to:

• secure and trusted communication channels for information sharing,

• expert working groups and collaborative initiatives,

• specialised training programmes and global conferences,

• enhanced mechanisms for coordinated incident response.

  
  

For the wider ecosystem, this translates into faster information flows, improved threat analysis, and more effective responses - particularly in the case of complex and coordinated cyber incidents.

Regional context: the need for stronger networks

As cyber threats continue to evolve and transcend borders, strengthening links between national and sectoral CERTs becomes a critical component of resilience. In this context, membership in FIRST should not be seen solely as an institutional milestone, but as part of a broader process of integrating the region into the global cybersecurity framework.

For organisations such as CSEC, acting as a regional hub for cooperation, capacity building, and knowledge exchange, developments like this create further opportunities to strengthen partnerships and support joint initiatives across the region.