The European Regulation (EU) 2021/887 of the European Parliament and of the European Council of 20 May 2021, established he European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), and the Network of National Coordination Centres, which consists of the National Coordination Centres (NCCs) of the EU Member States and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states.

On 21 December 2021, by decision of the Council of Ministers, the Digital Security Authority (DSA), a public sector entity, was designated as the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCC-CY) in the Republic of Cyprus.

At the same time, the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) was appointed as a member of the NCC-CY consortium, with the tasks of financial manager in the funding that the NCC-CY will secure through the ECCC’s European Programs and EU funding opportunities, for the financial support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), subject to the provisions under European Regulation 2021/887.

The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation & Digital Policy (DMRID) contributes as an associated partner to the N4CY project, while its General Director chairs the NCC-CY Council.

The headquarters of the Digital Security Authority (DSA) designated as the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCC-CY) is located in Nicosia and is co-located in the premises with the Office of Electronic Communications & Postal Regulation (OCECPR).

The vision of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCC-CY) is to make Cyprus a pioneer in the field of Cybersecurity services, while ensuring a reliable and protected cyberspace for businesses and the wider civil society.

The NCC-CY’s mission is to maintain and enhance the level of Cybersecurity in the Republic of Cyprus. To this end, the NCC-CY develops various actions and activities, providing knowledge and facilitating access to expertise on industrial, technological and research cybersecurity issues. It also encourages networking, raising awareness and promoting cooperation on cybersecurity in order to build a strong Cybersecurity Community.

It also contributes to the European Union’s efforts to achieve synergies and coordinate funding, which are intertwined with the EU initiative, by providing financial support to SMEs in order to enhance their level of security and resilience. At the same time, it encourages stakeholders to actively participate in EU funding opportunities.

The NCC-CY works in a coordinated manner as a member of the Network of National Coordination Centres (NCCs) and supports the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) in fulfilling its mission and objectives.

The National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCC-CY) sets high goals and undertakes an important role to actively contribute through its actions to improve and maintain cybersecurity resilience in the Republic of Cyprus.

It aims to concentrate and better coordinate research, technology and industrial development investments and to take advantage of the European Union’s funding opportunities in the field of cyber security.

The NCC-CY aims to foster close cooperation and exchange of expertise and capabilities between all stakeholders, in particular the research and industrial communities, public authorities and SMEs to protect our economy and society from cyber-attacks, in order to maintain excellence in research, enhance Europe’s competitiveness and create the Cybersecurity Community.

On 21 December 2021, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus, on the proposal of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, designated the Digital Security Authority (DSA) as the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCC-CY). At the same time, it designated the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) as a member of the NCC-CY consortium with the tasks of financial management and allocation of funds from European funding programs drawn by the NCC-CY.

It also set up the NCC-CY Council as the body responsible for defining the general policy framework for the implementation of the European Regulation 2021/887 of the European Parliament and of the Council in the Republic of Cyprus.

The General Director of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy or his representative chairs the Council.

The members of the NCC-CY Council are:

-The Commissioner for Communications

-The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF)

The Directors General of the Ministries:

-Defence

-Justice and Public Order

-Energy, Commerce and Industry

-Foreign Affairs

-Finance

-Education, Sport and Youth

(Or their representatives)

National Advisory Committee

In addition, the NCC-CY in the framework of the implementation of the European project N4CY: Development of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre of the Republic of Cyprus, co-funded by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Program "Digital Europe", developed a similar structure to the ECCC, at national level, by creating a relevant Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee has assumed an advisory role on cybersecurity issues, with the aim of effective communication and cooperation between the NCC-CY and the members of the Community.

The Committee, through the exchange of expertise, advice and feedback on NCC-CY activities, aims to improve and strengthen the Community’s ability to address common cybersecurity challenges.

The Advisory Committee was established by the NCC-CY and is composed of experts from the following organisations:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Public Order, Ministry of Defence, Institute of Genetics and Neurology, Cyprus Institute, Cyprus Institute of Genetics and Neurology, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), OEB, ETEK, Cyprus Certification Organisation, Cyprus Informatics Association, KIOS, CYENS, ISACA Cyprus Chapter, ISC2, CIIM, University of Cyprus, Open University of Cyprus, University of Nicosia, Neapolis University, UCLAN University.