Meet our first six ambassadors collaborating with COcyber for enhanced digital safety

Cybersecurity is a central pillar of Europe’s digital future and safety, requiring strong collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers. To strengthen these connections, the COcyber Ambassador Programme brings together top experts committed to advancing cybersecurity, fostering engagement, and shaping policies that impact both civilian and defence sectors. As part of a six-month cohort, the first batch of ambassadors contribute to COcyber by leveraging the project’s efforts to bridge gaps between different cybersecurity communities, ensuring a more coordinated and resilient approach to cybersecurity challenges.

Meet the First Batch of COcyber Ambassadors

We are proud to present the the first batch of ambassadors, onboarding COcyber from January to June 2025, consisting of six distinguished cybersecurity professionals, embodies expertise, innovation, and commitment to enhancing digital resilience across the continent.

Eduvigis Ortiz has over 30 years of experience in business consulting and information systems, leading initiatives in alliances, partner ecosystems, and innovation. She has held leadership roles in top-tier companies, driving projects in cybersecurity, AI, big data, and digital transformation across multicultural environments. As founder and president of Women4Cyber Spain, she works to close the cybersecurity skills gap by promoting female talent in the field. She also co-hosts Cruzando Puentes on Capital Radio, fostering investment, talent, and entrepreneurship between Latin America and Spain.

Dr. Nizar Touleimat is the Director of the Research and Innovation program for the application of Smart Digital Systems to Security and Defence within the LIST Institute of the French Commission for Alternative and Atomic Energies (CEA). He specializes in AI for data sciences and has led international collaborations. He coordinates the EU-backed STARLIGHT project, which enhances European AI autonomy for Law Enforcement and cybersecurity. He represents CEA in major European organizations, including ECSO, EACTDA, and EARTO, and serves on advisory boards for the European Commission and the French Academy of Police. He is also an operational reserve officer in the French Navy.nt solutions, contributing to European R&D projects that enhance cyber resilience.

Stella Tsitsoula – is a communications consultant and Managing Partner at RED.comm specializing in technology and cybersecurity, working with multinational organizations, Greek businesses, and universities to promote cybersecurity awareness and strategy. Since 2017, she has managed communications for Greece’s National Cyber Security Team in the Pan-European Cyber Security Competition organized by ENISA. She is a member of the Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI) and co-founded the Greek Chapter of Women4Cyber. In 2023, she established the Hellenic Institute of Cybersecurity to promote digital security and high-tech initiatives. With over 25 years in media and communications, she has held senior management roles and frequently speaks at conferences on cybersecurity awareness.

Madhusanka Liyanagee is an Associate Professor and Ad Astra Fellow at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, where he leads the Network Softwarization and Security Labs (NetsLab) focusing on 5G and 6G security. He is also a Docent at the Center for Wireless Communications, University of Oulu, Finland, and an Honorary Adjunct Professor at the University of Ruhuna and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.He has co-authored over 250 publications, secured over €8 million in research funding, and led multiple EU projects. Recognized among the world’s top 2% of scientists since 2020, he has received awards including the IEEE ComSoc Outstanding Young Researcher and the Tom Brazil Excellence in Research Award. He is also an expert consultant for the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA).

Antonio Grasso is the Founder and CEO of Digital Business Innovation Srl, leading advancements in AI, IoT, blockchain, and cybersecurity. With over 40 years in IT, he is a recognized technologist, author, and keynote speaker. In 2024, he secured a Generative AI patent and was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) for his contributions to social progress. He collaborates with multinational companies and public institutions, contributing to EU projects like Next Generation Internet and AI4EU. As an Accredited Global Mentor for Startups with the World Business Angels Investment Forum, he supports entrepreneurial growth. His book Toward a Post-Digital Society explores the impact of AI, blockchain, and Web3 on business and society. Committed to sustainability and social inclusion, he founded agrassoblog.org to promote knowledge-sharing and entrepreneurial empowerment in emerging nations.

Selene Giupponi- Selene Giupponi is a pioneer in Digital Forensics and Cyber Intelligence in Italy. She has worked on numerous cybercrime investigations, specializing in Cyber Forensics, Cyber Espionage, and Insider Threat cases. She serves as a consultant and expert witness in international court cases and arbitrations. A frequent speaker at cybersecurity conferences, she also lectures at universities and institutions, including law enforcement and defense schools. She was a founding member of ECSO and has been actively involved in Women4Cyber Italy since 2020 as a Founding Member and Secretary General, as well as a Council Member of the W4C Foundation in Brussels. Currently, she is the Managing Director for Europe at Resecurity Inc., focusing on Dark Web investigations, and a member of the Scientific Committee of the Hermes European Study Center since March 2024.

Each ambassador brings a unique perspective and extensive experience, ensuring that COcyber’s efforts are informed by a diverse range of industry, academic, and policy-driven insights. The COcyber team is thankful for the ambassadors’ commitment to fostering the outreach and impact of COcyber activities, events and results.

A Deep Commitment to European Cybersecurity

The ambassadors selected for this inaugural cohort are deeply embedded in Europe’s cybersecurity landscape, each bringing years of expertise and a track record of contributions in the field. Their involvement spans industry, research, policy, and community-building efforts, ensuring a well-rounded approach to cybersecurity challenges.

Some have spent over a decade advocating for diversity in cybersecurity, leading national and European initiatives to bridge the skills gap. Others have worked at the forefront of AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, developing tools that support law enforcement agencies in tackling emerging threats. Several ambassadors have played instrumental roles in major European research projects, shaping security policies and advancing 5G/6G network security. From mentoring startups to advising European Commission bodies, their collective impact is substantial.

Challenges in Civilian and Defense Cybersecurity Collaboration

One of the key challenges identified by the ambassadors is the different priorities and regulatory frameworks governing civilian and defence cybersecurity. While civilian efforts focus on protecting businesses, infrastructure, and individuals, defense initiatives prioritize national security and intelligence operations, often working within classified environments. This divide makes cooperation difficult.

Another significant issue is the fragmentation of policies across EU Member States, which complicates efforts to implement a cohesive cybersecurity strategy. Limited trust and communication channels between public and private stakeholders further hinder collaboration, making it difficult to share threat intelligence effectively.

Additionally, ambassadors pointed out the growing complexity of cyber threats, particularly AI-driven attacks, which require more coordinated responses from both sectors. The rapid evolution of cyber risks necessitates stronger, adaptable defenses that can bridge the civilian-defense gap. The difference in skillsets and technology used in the civilian and defense sectors and political and budgetary constraints came up as challenges as well.

Solutions for a Stronger European Cybersecurity Framework

To overcome these challenges, the ambassadors emphasize the need for standardized protocols for information-sharing, ensuring that security classifications are maintained while improving collaboration. Joint training programs and cyber defence exercises would enhance mutual understanding and preparedness.

Investing in European cybersecurity R&D, particularly in dual-use technologies, is another critical step. By supporting riskier but more ambitious research, Europe can drive innovation that benefits both civilian and defense applications. Funding mechanisms should encourage cross-sector collaboration to maximize impact.

The ambassadors also advocate for stronger public-private partnerships, integrating industry expertise into cybersecurity policy-making. Establishing harmonized cybersecurity regulations at the EU level would further align efforts, making it easier to coordinate strategies across borders.

What Ambassadors Expect from Their Role

The ambassadors see their role as an opportunity to raise awareness, share expertise, and advocate for key cybersecurity improvements. They aim to bridge gaps between stakeholders, ensuring that both civilian and defence cybersecurity communities benefit from knowledge exchange and collaboration.

They look forward to participating in major cybersecurity discussions, advising on policy, and helping shape a more resilient digital Europe. Their commitment is to drive tangible impact, ensuring that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue but a strategic priority for Europe’s digital sovereignty.