From Diagnosis to Action: COcyber Event in Madrid Explores Regional Collaboration for Dual Use Innovation
On 4 June 2026, 28DIGITAL hosted its Regional Committee meeting at Fundación Pons in Madrid, with a dedicated COcyber deep dive session on regional collaboration and dual use innovation. The event brought together stakeholders from defence, public funding, academia and regional innovation to discuss how Spain can strengthen cooperation between the civilian and defence cybersecurity spheres.
The session, titled “Building a Strong Dual Use Innovation Ecosystem”, was based on the COcyber Spain National Case Study, conducted by our former partner AMETIC and validated by national experts. The discussion focused on moving from diagnosis to action, exploring how key actors such as CDTI, the Spanish Navy's Cyber Defence Group, UPM and Fundecyt PCTEX can address structural barriers and contribute to a stronger dual use innovation ecosystem.
Moderated by Violeta Vazquez, Project Lead at 28DIGITAL, the panel featured Luis De Medina Redondo, Head of the Spanish Navy's Cyber Defence Group, Francisco Pizarro Escribano, Business Development Manager at Fundecyt PCTEX, Maite Boyero from CDTI, and Prof. Cecilia E. García Cena, Full Professor and Associated Vice Rector for Entrepreneurship at UPM.
The discussion addressed some of the main challenges identified in the COcyber report, including lack of trust between stakeholders, rigid procurement processes, regional fragmentation, talent shortages, the need for stronger alignment between science and defence priorities, and the role of universities in supporting technology transfer and dual use innovation.
The event concluded with a reflection on how organisations operating in dual use environments can prevent technology leakage while fostering innovation. By connecting the findings of the Spain National Case Study with the experience of national and regional stakeholders, the session contributed to COcyber's wider mission of strengthening civilian defence cybersecurity cooperation across Europe.
