Webinar - EU policy on Cybersecurity and implications for the EDIH network

Cybersecurity is a core element of the digital strategy of the European Union. There are several ongoing initiatives which will directly impact the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) and their customers (companies and public sector organisations).

It is important for European National Coordination Centres (NCCs) to be involved with the work of EDIHs and to understand their role because EDIHs play a crucial part in driving digital transformation and innovation within a country or region. National Coordination Centres serve as key facilitators and coordinators of digital innovation initiatives, and their collaboration with EDIHs ensures effective alignment of efforts within Europe.

By actively collaborating with EDIHs, NCCs drive digital innovation, address regional needs, and coordinate policies and investments. This fosters a stronger cybersecurity market, enhances competitiveness, and contributes to the European cybersecurity community. NCCs also ensure alignment of EDIHs with national and regional priorities, providing guidance and support for their integration into the broader European digital innovation ecosystem. Through enhanced cooperation, we strive for a cohesive and well-coordinated European digital innovation landscape.

This webinar is meant to provide an introduction to the legislative, standardisation and organisation aspects, including the role of the NCCs and of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC). The Cyber Resilience Act proposal will be discussed including the implications for SMEs.

The event is open to representatives of the EDIH and the ECCC networks.

Objectives of the webinar:

• Provide information on the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) proposal and the main building blocks for preparing its implementation, in particular as regards the need to support SMEs.
• Discuss with EDIH and National Coordination Centres (NCCs) network to understand their workings and the extent to which they could contribute to supporting CRA implementation.
• Present funding opportunities of relevance for CRA implementation which are currently being launched:
  • Support for implementation of EU legislation on cybersecurity and national cybersecurity strategies; DIGITAL-ECCC-2023-DEPLOY-CYBER-04-EULEGISLATION
  • Standardisation in the area of Cybersecurity; DIGITAL-ECCC-2023-DEPLOY-CYBER-04-STANDARDISATION
  • Other relevant calls
• Identify priority topics and needs for micro and small enterprises, which could be explored in more detail at possible follow up events

Audience:

EDIH providing Cybersecurity services to their customer and the ECCC networks.

Draft Programme:

Attendance:

If you would like to attend this webinar, we invite you to contact Rapolas Lakavičius at Rapolas.LAKAVICIUS(at)ec.europa.eu, Maika Fohrenbach (DG.CNECT.H2) at Maika.FOHRENBACH(at)ec.europa.eu, and Sandro D’ELIA (DG.CNECT.A4) at Sandro.DELIA(at)ec.europa.eu.

Background

Brief description of EDIHs

With the EDIH network the European Commission wants to build a vibrant community of hubs and other stakeholders fostering networking, co-operation, and knowledge transfer activities between EDIH, SME and mid-caps, the public sector and the other relevant stakeholders and initiatives.

EDIHs support companies to improve business/production processes, products, or services using digital technologies by:

• providing access to technical expertise and testing, as well as the possibility to 'test before invest'
• providing innovation services, such as financing advice, training, and skills development that are central to successful digital transformation
• helping companies tackle environmental issues, in particular the use of digital technologies for sustainability and circularity.

More than 150 EDIHs have indicated their interest in cybersecurity, thus they form a substantial constituency to help European SMEs to align their work with CRA requirements