Maria-Manuela Catrina | Deputy-Director
National Cyber Security Directorate

Maria-Manuela Catrina serves as Deputy Director - Undersecretary of State, in the Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate (DNSC), Romania. The National Cyber Security Directorate is the competent authority at the national level for the national civilian cyberspace, including the management of risks and cyber incidents. Ms. Maria Manuela Catrina has a background in mathematics, computer science, cybernetics, as well as training in security and international relations. She also served at various capacities in Romanian Government, Romanian Parliament and NGOs. In the early 2000s. Ms Maria Manuela Catrina had the first opportunity to join the high levels of government as Advisor for the Romanian Prime Minister, the path she continues in various positions in the Romanian Parliament and Romanian Government. Ms. Catrina who was nominated among top 50 Women of Influence in Cyber-security in Europe and is also a member in the Women4cyber Council since 2021 is passionate about digital transformation and promoting women in technology. Between 2017 and 2019 as Secretary of State in the Ministry of Communications and Information Society, Ms. Catrina contributed to the complex preparations for Romania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Her mandate includes broader aspects as well as more specialized areas of the Digital Agenda - such as cybersecurity, AI and robotics, also promoting women in tech. In addition to handling legislative files stemming from EU’s Digital Agenda within the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, she also coordinates a number of high-level national groups tasked with ensuring the security and resilience of Romania’s IT and telecommunications infrastructure. Ms. Catrina actively participates in various high-level ITU activities, sharing and promoting the vision Romania has on information and communication technologies (ICTs). Since 2013, Ms Catrina is also the Director the Ovidiu Sincai European School, a key political leadership Programme in Romania.