EU Cybersecurity Resilience, Coordination and Cybersecurity Ranges

Overview

Objectives

The two main objectives of this call are:

• To strengthen the capacity of cybersecurity actors in the EU to monitor cyber-attacks and threats and supply chain risks, to react jointly against large incidents, and to improve relevant knowledge, skills and training. This objective will be pursued through the implementation of the Blueprint and the future Joint Cyber Unit considering the important role of the Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) network and of the Cyber Crisis Liaison Organization Network (CyCLONe).
• To create, interconnect and strengthen Cybersecurity ranges at European, national and regional level as well as within and across critical infrastructures, including in but not limited to sectors covered by the NIS Directive, with a view to share knowledge and cybersecurity threat intelligence between stakeholders in the Member States, better monitor cybersecurity threats, and respond jointly to cyber-attacks

Activities/actions supported

Proposals addressing the first objective should focus on building the capacity of cybersecurity actors to react in a coordinated way to large scale cybersecurity incidents, while fostering the role of CSIRTs, the CyCLONe network, the future Joint Cybersecurity Unit, and taking into account the Blueprint.

Proposals addressing the second objective should support the creation, operation, capacity increase and/or uptake of cybersecurity ranges, and foster networking between them to develop cybersecurity skills and expertise in key technologies (e.g. 5G, Internet of Things, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, industrial control systems) as well as application sectors (e.g. health, energy, finance, transport, telecommunication, agri-food production, resource management) including consideration to cascading effects across sectors. More specifically, actions under this objectives can include: exchanges of knowledge between cybersecurity ranges and create common data repositories; as well as structured training and cybersecurity exercises to prepare cybersecurity defenders in both public and private organisations to enhance the protection and resilience of critical infrastructures, enterprises and communications networks, and hybrid trainings relevant to detecting, mitigating and preventing cyber-attacks (tactical, operational, strategic) while creating an environment where they can train communication, coordination and decision making.

Anticipated outcomes

Projects implemented under this call are expected to lead to stronger capacity in the Member States to react in a coordinated way to large scale cybersecurity incidents, as well as top-level cybersecurity ranges offering advanced skills, knowledge and testing platforms.

Institution providing the funding

European Commission

Size of funding

€3,416,320.5

Conditions

Overview of eligibility criteria

To be eligible, applicants must be legal entities established in one of the eligible countries (i.e. EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)); or EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)). Furthermore:

• Projects under the first objective are open to all EU organisations with needs in cybersecurity.
• Projects under the second objective are primarily open to EU creators and providers of Cybersecurity Range services.

Overview of award criteria

The award criteria are the following:

• Relevance (5 points)
• Implementation (5 points)
• Impact (5 points)

Maximum points: 15 points. Overall threshold: 10 points.

Procedures

Application procedures

To be considered, proposals must:

• Be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal using the forms provided.
• Proposals must be complete and contain all parts and mandatory annexes and supporting documents.

More information is available in the text of the call (see link below).

Application support available

For further help, please refer to the Online Manual on the Funding & Tenders Portal, as well as to the text of the call.

Useful links

Link to funding opportunity

Link to the programme for more info