EU-funded Horizon Europe project brings together more than 300 law enforcement officers to test AI-enabled security technologies, while advancing cybersecurity training and professional certification pathways.
Kaunas, Lithuania—ISACA, the global professional association advancing digital trust, has marked a significant milestone in its participation in LEAD-PRO, a European Union-funded Horizon Europe initiative, following the successful completion of the project's first operational pilot in Kaunas, Lithuania.
The four-day exercise brought together more than 300 law enforcement officers to test how artificial intelligence (AI), connected surveillance technologies and integrated communications can improve situational awareness and decision-making during complex public safety incidents.
As a consortium partner, ISACA contributes its expertise in cybersecurity, digital trust and professional certification to strengthen the digital capabilities of European law enforcement agencies, complementing the project's development and testing of advanced security technologies.
Testing AI and Connected Technologies in Realistic Security Scenarios
The Kaunas pilot brought together law enforcement representatives from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Spain for a series of strategic briefings, international tabletop exercises and a full-scale live demonstration at Darius and Girėnas Stadium.
The final exercise involved 200 officers, including first responders, command personnel and police academy trainees, responding to a simulated stadium security incident covering a two-mile radius.
The pilot tested the integration of body-worn cameras, CCTV systems, drones and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors into a unified operational platform. AI-powered capabilities, including fire detection and crowd anomaly recognition, were also evaluated to assess their potential to improve information sharing and coordination across emergency-response teams.
"Kaunas marks a decisive milestone for LEAD-PRO. We have moved from concept to a platform validated under realistic operational pressure, with 300 officers across five regions nations engaged in a single coordinated programme. The integration of IoT, AI and computer vision into a unified operational picture is no longer theoretical — it is in the hands of European law enforcement, and it is ready for the next pilots in Valencia and Riga," said Albert Algans, Chief Executive Officer at NUUK Technologies and LEAD-PRO Project Coordinator.
Strengthening Cybersecurity Skills Across European Law Enforcement
Beyond technological innovation, LEAD-PRO aims to equip law enforcement professionals with the knowledge and competencies needed to operate securely in increasingly digital environments.
Through its participation in the consortium, ISACA supports professional certification pathways and cybersecurity capability development, contributing to efforts to address digital skills gaps across European public safety organisations.
Following the Kaunas pilot, the Lithuanian Police are preparing structured certification pathways covering several ISACA credentials, including Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) and Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE).
"Hosting the first LEAD-PRO pilot in Kaunas allowed our officers to test, at full scale, how a unified platform changes the speed and quality of decision-making during a mass-event incident. The Day 4 stadium exercise put first responders, command staff and academy trainees on the same operational picture for the first time. We are now preparing to begin our own structured certification pathways in CISM, CISA, CDPSE and CRISC, building on what LEAD-PRO has delivered," said Vilius Motiejaitis, Head of Kaunas Public Police Board, Lithuanian Police.
The project's collaboration with police academies has also identified cybersecurity and AI as priority areas for future professional training.
"Law enforcement agencies are increasingly relying on interconnected systems, real-time data and artificial intelligence to support critical decisions. While these technologies offer significant opportunities, their effectiveness also depends on the skills of the professionals responsible for managing the associated risks," said Chris Dimitriadis, Chief Global Strategy Officer at ISACA.
"Through LEAD-PRO, ISACA is helping bridge the gap between technological innovation and professional readiness by contributing internationally recognised cybersecurity, risk management and governance certification pathways. Strengthening these capabilities is essential to building public trust and supporting the secure adoption of emerging technologies across Europe's law enforcement community."
European Collaboration to Advance Digital Trust and Public Safety
LEAD-PRO is delivered by a seven-partner European consortium coordinated by NUUK Technologies, bringing together technology companies, research and training organisations, and law enforcement agencies.
Alongside ISACA, the consortium includes Iterato, L3CE, Lithuanian Police, Latvian State Police and Valencia Local Police.
The project forms part of broader European efforts to strengthen security, preparedness and cooperation between public authorities and technology providers. Its activities also align with ISACA's commitment to supporting the EU Pact for Skills and advancing cybersecurity education and professional development across Europe.
Following the Kaunas pilot, LEAD-PRO will continue with operational exercises in Valencia, Spain, and Riga, Latvia, examining the platform's capabilities across different public safety and emergency-management scenarios.
The LEAD-PRO project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101168492.
About LEAD-PRO
LEAD-PRO is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action focused on strengthening emergency management, mass-event security and public safety through AI-enabled technologies, interoperable communications and integrated command-and-control capabilities. The project brings together European technology partners, training organisations and law enforcement agencies to develop and evaluate solutions for complex security and emergency-response environments.
About ISACA
ISACA® is a global professional association and learning organisation that champions digital trust. For more than 50 years, ISACA has equipped individuals and enterprises with the knowledge, credentials, education, training and community to advance their careers, transform their organisations and build a more trusted digital world. Its global community includes professionals working in information security, governance, audit, risk, privacy and emerging technologies.
Media Contact
Esther Almendros
ISACA Europe
ealmendros@isaca.org
