International Collaboration Against Cybercrime Takes Center Stage
In a significant event highlighting the necessity of global cooperation in combating cybercrime, Marrakech, Morocco, is set to host the 2026 Cyber Games and Digital Security Challenge from May 19 to 21. This prestigious competition will bring together around 160 law enforcement and cybersecurity specialists from nearly 50 nations, showcasing a collective response to the escalating threats posed by cybercriminals. Organized by the Council of Europe in partnership with INTERPOL, along with Morocco's General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) and the General Directorate of Information Systems Security (DGSSI), this event marks the first time such a competition is being held on the African continent, underlining the continent's commitment to addressing global cybercrime challenges.
A Growing Series of Global Competitions
The 2026 edition is the second in a series of expanding competitions designed to enhance the skills of professionals facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Building on the success of the inaugural event held in Malaysia in 2025, the Cyber Games will feature participants including police investigators, digital forensics experts, and cybersecurity professionals. The competition will focus on tackling complex cyberattacks and ransomware incidents, as well as combating criminal networks involved in cryptocurrency laundering. With nearly 400 entries in the online pre-selection process, the event demonstrates a growing global interest and relevance across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Participants will engage in realistic investigative scenarios over three days, working in teams to refine their problem-solving abilities through hands-on exercises and collaborative challenges. The Cyber Games and Digital Security Challenge are not merely competitions between countries; they represent an opportunity for practical cooperation, collaborative work, and mutual learning. A central theme of the 2026 event will be the effective use of cooperative tools outlined in the Convention on Cybercrime, also known as the Budapest Convention, and its Second Additional Protocol.
Virgil Spiridon, Head of the Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe, emphasized the need for such exercises, stating, "The Cyber Games and Digital Security Challenge respond to a cybercrime landscape where criminals increasingly exploit encrypted communications, virtual currencies, and models where crime is designed as a service to execute ransomware attacks and hybrid operations against critical infrastructures. Practical exercises based on the cooperation tools from the Budapest Convention and its Second Additional Protocol prepare authorities to coordinate actions across borders and respond in emergencies.”
Mohamed Dkhissi, Director of Judicial Police at the DGSN and Vice President of INTERPOL for Africa, reaffirmed Morocco's commitment as an effective partner in international efforts against transnational crime. He highlighted that Morocco has implemented an integrated strategy to enhance information systems security, safeguard digital sovereignty, and combat various forms of technology-related crime. This approach includes strengthening the legal and institutional framework, modernizing the technical capabilities of relevant services, and promoting close cooperation with regional and international partners while adhering to commitments under the Budapest Convention and its additional protocols aimed at preventing and prosecuting offenses committed in cyberspace.
As reported by coe.int.
