Dr. Kaie Maennel, Dr. Agnė Brilingaitė, and Linas Bukauskas are cybersecurity education researchers who have co-authored studies on multidimensional approaches to Cyber Defense Exercises (CDX). Their work emphasizes integrating psychological safety , intrinsic motivation , and cognitive agility into cybersecurity training frameworks. They have contributed to understanding how behavioral aspects and educational theory can enhance technical skill development and team coordination during large-scale exercises like Locked Shields and Amber Mist. Key areas of focus include: Applying Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to improve participant motivation and learning outcomes. Developing adaptive performance metrics that evaluate non-technical skills such as communication and decision-making under stress. Advancing slow education techniques to scaffold technical and soft skill development in cyber operators. They have secured significant funding through the EEA Grants project ADVANCES , which aims to personalize cybersecurity competence development. Their research has been published in journals like Computers & Security and International Journal of Cyber Warfare and Terrorism , influencing pedagogical practices in hybrid cybersecurity exercises and incident response training.











