Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the scale of information attacks, and the growing vulnerability of critical infrastructure clearly demonstrate that Lithuania, as a NATO eastern flank country, stands on the frontline of hybrid threats. Responding to such threats cannot be a matter of national effort alone – it requires international partnerships and the integration of science and practice.
It is precisely in this context that Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), together with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia, is creating unique initiatives – the Australian–Lithuanian Cyber Research Network (ALCRN) and the Australian–Lithuanian Hybrid Threats Centre in Vilnius. The significance of this partnership was also highlighted in the recently published five-year impact report of RMIT’s Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation, which listed MRU among its key international partners.
ALCRN: A knowledge network between two continents
The Australian–Lithuanian Cyber Research Network (ALCRN), established in 2022, connects researchers, PhD students, and experts working in the fields of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure protection, and resilience to hybrid threats.
As emphasized by RMIT cybersecurity experts, cooperation with MRU strengthens not only the resilience of the Baltic region but also builds a bridge to the Indo-Pacific, where geopolitical tensions are also on the rise.
An important feature of ALCRN is its interdisciplinarity. It combines insights from law, politics, computer science, international relations, and other fields, allowing cybersecurity issues to be analyzed comprehensively and systematically.
The Hybrid Threats Centre: A response for today
The Australian–Lithuanian Hybrid Threats Centre, founded in 2023 in Vilnius through cooperation between MRU and RMIT, represents a pioneering joint academic project between Europe and Australia. MRU serves as the academic foundation for the Centre in Lithuania – it brings together researchers and students, implements projects, and builds partnerships that transform research into practical initiatives.
Its aim is to study cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and infrastructure vulnerabilities, while developing science-based solutions to counter them. This is the first initiative of its kind between Europe and Australia where research goes beyond classrooms and contributes directly to shaping practical security policy.
MRU’s voice in the international arena
MRU scholars are active initiators and leaders of these initiatives. Professor Dr. Marius Laurinaitis of the MRU School of Law emphasizes:
“Cyber and hybrid threats today are part of everyday reality – from attempts to influence public opinion to direct attacks against infrastructure. ALCRN and the Hybrid Threats Centre allow Lithuania not only to be safer but also to actively shape the international agenda in this field.”
The foundation of this partnership was strongly influenced by the late MRU Professor Darius Štitilis. His contributions to the field of cybersecurity became a vital part of Lithuania’s academic community, and his ideas and initiatives continue to live on internationally, strengthening MRU’s role in the global academic network.
Opportunities for youth and the region
For MRU students and PhD candidates, this partnership opens up wide opportunities: to participate in international projects, contribute to publications, undertake internships in Australia, and gain hands-on experience tackling real cybersecurity challenges.
This not only enriches their academic experience but also strengthens Lithuania’s image as an innovative, secure, and internationally engaged country.
Looking ahead
The ALCRN and the Hybrid Threats Centre are only the beginning. MRU and RMIT plan to expand their research areas, involve more international partners, and foster innovations that will address challenges yet to emerge.
Cybersecurity is not merely a technological issue – it is a test of the future of democracy and freedom. MRU’s work in this area demonstrates that Lithuania is not only responding to threats but also actively shaping international responses to them.
Photos from the personal archive of Prof. M. Laurinaitis. Pictured: Prof. Matthew Warren, Director of the RMIT Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation.
