Objective of the program.

Strengthen operational cooperation and cybersecurity capabilities between EU Member States.

For more information click HERE.

The areas of actions are as follows:

1. Cybersecurity Skills Academy.

The European project aims to establish the Cybersecurity Skills Academy to provide training programs. This is a European initiative to address the growing shortage of cybersecurity experts in Europe. The training programs focus on skills such as cyber forensics, cyber intelligence, malware analysis and artificial intelligence for cybersecurity. The training programs are mainly targeted at start-ups, SMEs and government institutions.

Proposal submission date: 21 November 2023

Closing date: 26 March 2024

Call budget: EUR 10.000.000

For more information click HERE.

2. New applications of artificial intelligence and other technologies for Security Operations Centers (SOCs).

The European program focuses on Security Operations Centres. In order to be awarded the grant, the proposed project must contribute to technologies for SOCs, such as artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, it includes national SOCs that provide centralized operational capability and support other SOCs at the national level. The project is intended for projects that contribute to the following objectives:

- Implementation of AI and key advanced technology tools for SOCs.

- Tools for generating, analysing and processing cyber threat intelligence (CTI-Cyber Threat Intelligence) that enable faster and more scalable SOCs operations.

- European cyber threat intelligence feeds or services.

Proposal submission date: 16 January 2024

Closing date: 26 March 2024

Call budget: EUR 30.000.000

For more information click HERE.

3. Deployment of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) in systems in industrial sectors.

The project aims to promote the application of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) in various sectors and industries. The objective is to integrate PQC-related systems, equipment, components, protocols and network technologies into existing digital security and communication networks. In particular, proposals should include the following:

- Validation of PQC systems and PQC technologies for application in specific industrial sectors.

- Long-term protection of critical assets and information security in the case of quantum computing.

- Preparation of checklists and transition plans for PQC in sectors where this has not yet been implemented.

Proposal submission date: 16 January 2024

Closing date: 26 March 2024

Call budget: EUR 22 250 000

For more information click HERE.

4. Tools to comply with the requirements and obligation of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).

The European project aims to support the implementation of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) with tools that support and automate internal compliance processes. This tool includes testing and preparation of specifications with a focus on European Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). In particular, the program should achieve the following:

- Tools to automate compliance with the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), ensuring the basic cybersecurity requirements of the CRA.

- Tools to automate CRA compliance with documented evidence.

Proposal submission date: 16 January 2024

Closing date: 26 March 2024

Call budget: EUR 8.000.000

For more information click HERE.

5. Standardisation and awareness of the European transition to post-quantum cryptography

The project focuses on strengthening Europe’s efforts to transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) by supporting European standardisation activities. In particular, proposals should contribute to one or more of the following objectives:

- Compliance with European and international standards and regulations in the field of PQC.

- Workshops, reports and other activities to support cooperation between different sectors in the transition to PQC.

- Development of a European PQC transition route as a basis for roadmaps.

- Development of standards for cryptographic systems.

- Support the European PQC community, including the involvement of relevant experts and standardisation bodies at European and international level to integrate PQC into new or updated cryptographic standards. In particular, this applies to sectors such as energy, transport, health and finance.

Proposal submission date: 16 January 2024

Closing date: 26 March 2024

Call budget: EUR 1.000.000

For more information click HERE.

6. Strengthening the cybersecurity capabilities of European SMEs in line with the requirements and obligations of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).

The objectives of the program are the following:

1. Support European SMEs in strengthening their cybersecurity capabilities.

2. Support the implementation of the requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).

To achieve these objectives, proposals should focus as follows:

- Funding for SMEs and other stakeholders to comply with the CRA.

- A public platform with CRA-related resources (such as guidelines and supporting documents) to develop a community and ongoing education.

- Conduct workshops, events, networking and sharing of stakeholder experiences.

- CRA standardisation.

Proposal submission date: 16 January 2024

Closing date: 26 March 2024

Call budget: EUR 22 000 000

For more information click HERE.

7. Roadmap for the transition of European public administrations to the post-quantum era of cryptography.

This project is aimed at organisations that consider that national security agencies have a leading role to play in developing a roadmap for the transition of public administrations to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The roadmap will address a list of systems to be replaced, the timeline, and the technical and legal aspects of this transition. To achieve the above, proposals should focus as follows:

- Creating a roadmap for the transition of European public administrations to PQC.

- Organise workshops, reports and other activities to support synergies between NSAs and other public authorities.

- Promote cooperation between public authorities on the transition to PQC.

Proposal submission date: 16 January 2024

Closing date: 26 March 2024

Call budget: EUR 750.000

For more information click HERE.