COcyber’s First Year: Milestones, Meaning, and What Comes Next
One year ago, COcyber was a vision. Today, it’s a living European community, connecting actors from both the civilian and defence cybersecurity spheres. Since its launch, the project has brought together partners from across Europe to build common ground, enable cooperation, and develop tools that support dual-use cybersecurity coordination in practice.
To mark the first year, partners reflected on what has defined their work so far: the milestones they reached, what those achievements meant within their teams, and the direction they are now shaping for the months ahead.
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What are the most important COcyber milestones from the first year?
For EIT Digital, the biggest milestone was meeting the new partners and running the Deephack — “something truly meaningful and beyond just paperwork.” The EOS team pointed to the creation of the COcyber Community and the establishment of the Secretariat to manage it, along with the organisation of the project’s first three events.
The Lisbon Council focused on the technical backbone: “Our most significant milestone was building the COcyber Platform, a secure, trusted space for sharing information and advancing dual-use technologies across civilian and defence sectors.” ULB highlighted their role in the strategic framing of the project, stating: “We have produced an outstanding report related to needs assessment and potential solutions for cooperation and synergy between the two cybersecurity sectors.”
AUSTRALO captured the outreach and visibility dimension: “In just one year, COcyber grew from an idea on paper to a 300+ expert community, with 13 ambassadors and continuous online communication and hybrid engagement.” And AMETIC pointed to the project's policy relevance: “This year, we analysed the gap between civilian and defence cybersecurity and proposed sustainable solutions to ensure long-term impact through synergies and structured exploitation.”
What has been the most rewarding or meaningful part of being involved in COcyber?
For EIT Digital, the meaning was in the collective effort: “As coordinators, we see every partner’s achievement as part of a shared effort that adds unique value; their energy and commitment make our work possible.” EOS noted the value of external connection: “The best part? Connecting with partners and stakeholders at events like the INcyber Forum.”
The Lisbon Council highlighted the shared purpose: “Being part of a community of professionals who share the same goal and passion for a more responsive and integrated European cybersecurity.” For ULB, the meaningful moments were both internal and external: “Working with supportive partners who add value and having our findings validated through consultation confirmed we’re on the right track.”
AUSTRALO noted how rewarding it was to watch the project gain real visibility across Europe. And AMETIC emphasised the collaborative design process behind the national case studies: “Collaborating with the local IT associations from Hungary, Lithuania and Slovenia, learning, debating, and co-creating national case study methods.”
What are you most looking forward to in COcyber’s second year?
EIT Digital expressed a long-term view: “Looking forward to seeing the project’s impact continue well beyond its lifetime.” EOS pointed to continuity and sustainability: “Ensuring the COcyber Community keeps growing and becomes sustainable, so its impact and results can live on beyond the project.”
Lisbon Council will focus on delivery and closure: “We’re excited to complete the platform and host the final conference in Brussels.” ULB anticipates a productive final phase: “Finalising the project and initiating effective synergy and collaboration initiatives with tangible results.”
AUSTRALO looks ahead to scaling participation: “Year two means more events, more engagement, and more impact.” AMETIC sees the case studies as a next focal point: “We aim to complete the national case studies & share the resulting booklet with the European Commission, raise awareness in the four countries, and disseminate know-how.”
Broader engagement and next steps
Beyond the direct work of each partner, COcyber’s first year has also focused on expanding its reach. The launch of the COcyber Ambassadors Programme brought together 13 cybersecurity professionals from across Europe, offering perspectives rooted in national realities and cross-sector experience. Their involvement has helped shape external engagement, reinforce the relevance of a dual-use approach, and open new conversations around cooperation models. You can read more about their perspectives in the video interviews available on the COcyber platform.
In parallel, a series of public outputs have supported the project’s visibility and technical framing. These include the Needs Assessment Report — which combines quantitative mapping with a PESTEL analysis — and the Digital Ecosystem Cooperation (DEC) strategy. The COcyber Platform now hosts a range of resources, including an interactive stakeholder map, project updates, as well as recordings and articles from our activities such as the AI Cybersecurity Deephack.
As the project enters its second and final year, the focus is shifting toward consolidation. National case study work is underway in four countries. New platform features will be added. A final event is being prepared. And cross-project coordination with other European initiatives will be essential to positioning COcyber’s work within the wider cybersecurity policy and innovation landscape.
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