Cybercrime is becoming more organized, structured, and increasingly influenced by geopolitical developments. Criminal groups are adapting quickly, reshaping their operations and expanding their reach across Europe. At Cybersec Europe in Brussels on May 20 and 21, 2026, Vladimir Kropotov, Principal Researcher and Head of User Behavior Research at TrendAI, will share insights into how Russian-speaking underground networks are transforming criminal business processes and influencing cybercrime across the European landscape.
How criminal business processes are evolving
New technologies and geopolitical shifts are changing how cybercriminal groups operate. Kropotov will explore how Russian-speaking underground communities are redefining targets, adapting operational models, and expanding geographically. These developments affect attack priorities, the structure of criminal services, and the way threat actors collaborate. Cybercrime is increasingly run like a professional ecosystem with specialized roles, scalable services, and repeatable business models. For cybersecurity and IT security teams, this evolution changes how risks must be assessed and how defensive strategies should be developed.
What this means for organizations across Europe
The session includes case studies covering money mule services, e-commerce platform abuse, reshipment schemes, and the emergence of criminal business models now appearing within the EU. Attendees will gain insight into how these groups recruit locally, shift tactics, and leverage digital platforms to expand operations. Even for professionals outside threat intelligence, the session provides valuable context on how underground criminal innovation affects fraud risks, supply chains, and broader risk management decisions.
Vladimir Kropotov will speak on May 21 at Cybersec Europe in Brussels. Discover how evolving cybercriminal ecosystems are shaping the threat landscape in Europe and what organizations should be prepared for. Do not miss this eye-opening session.
