COcyber at BEDEX2026: Showcasing the Need for a Stronger Civilian - Defence Cyber Ecosystem

On 13–14 March 2026, COcyber participated in BEDEX Brussels 2026, engaging with stakeholders from across the European defence and cybersecurity ecosystem.

BEDEX - the Brussels European Defence Exhibition & Conference - brings together industry leaders, institutions, SMEs and innovators to discuss security, defence technologies and European cooperation. With 200 exhibitors and more than 35 international delegations, the event provided an important meeting point for exchange across the wider defence community.

For COcyber, the event was an important opportunity to connect with communities closely linked to the project’s mission of strengthening cooperation between civilian and defence cybersecurity actors in Europe. At Hall 11, Stand 551, COcyber was represented by our project coordinator 28DIGITAL and consortium partners the European Organisation for Security (EOS) and The Lisbon Council.

Throughout the event, discussions at the stand highlighted a clear gap in the current landscape. Visitors pointed to the importance of having a more unified one-stop shop for dual-use related information, while also recognising that such a resource is still missing. This was especially relevant in relation to funding insights, practical resources and best practices that organisations can turn to when these issues suddenly become urgent.

The response confirmed the relevance of the COcyber Platform, which was received very positively during the event, reinforcing its potential as a useful entry point for stakeholders navigating this evolving domain.

COcyber’s participation at BEDEX showed that there is strong interest in practical tools that can help connect actors, share knowledge and strengthen cooperation across Europe’s dual-use cybersecurity landscape. 

We now look forward to exploring opportunities to scale up the platform and build on this momentum.