Publications

This 5th edition of the COcyber newsletter highlights new progress within the project — from the new deliverable Guidelines on Cybersecurity Civil-Defence Cooperation and our upcoming event in Brussels to updates from the COcyber platform and Ambassador Programme — alongside selected insights from the wider European cybersecurity field.

This public deliverable is part of the COcyber Work Package (WP) 4 "Know-how, good practice sharing, and information transfer activities". COcyber is a two-year initiative supported by the European Commission and European Cybersecurity Competence Centre to foster the collaboration of civilian and defence cybersecurity sectors.  

This report summarises the research activities carried out under Task 4.1 of the COcyber project, which focuses on identifying and validating best practices to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation between the civilian and defence sectors across the European Union.

As cyber threats increasingly blur the boundaries between civilian and military domains, establishing structured and effective collaboration models is becoming essential to building a resilient and unified European cybersecurity ecosystem.

The objective of Task 4.1 was to identify at least ten transferable best practices that illustrate successful examples of civil-defence cooperation. These practices were selected through a rigorous process combining desk research, stakeholder consultations, and a validation and rating phase with cybersecurity experts from across Europe.

Disclaimer

The COcyber project funded under Grant Agreement No. 101158606 is supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre. Neither the European Union nor the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre can be held responsible for them. 

The contents of this deliverable are presented for informational purposes only and are subject to the pending approval of the European Commission (EC). The information, data, and conclusions presented herein may undergo revisions or modifications following the review and approval process by the European Commission. Recipients of this document are advised that any actions, decisions, or reliance on the information provided should be exercised with caution until the final approval from the European Commission is obtained. The authors and distributors of this deliverable shall not be held liable for any consequences arising from the use of information that has not yet received official European Commission approval.

This public deliverable is part of the COcyber Work Package (WP) 2 “Coordination activities between cybersecurity civilian and defence spheres”. COcyber is a two-year initiative supported by the European Commission and European Cybersecurity Competence Centre to foster the collaboration of civilian and defence cybersecurity sectors.  

Abstract

This report summarises the Needs Assessment conducted under Task 2.2 “Needs assessment and consultation for improved participation and collaboration” of the COcyber project, focusing on identifying the needs, challenges, and opportunities for enhancing collaboration between the civilian and defence sectors in cybersecurity. As cyber threats evolve and increasingly sophisticated, stronger partnerships between these sectors are essential to ensure national cyber resilience.

The primary objective of the assessment was to evaluate key areas for collaboration, including joint cyber defence initiatives, technology sharing, crisis management, and policy alignment. The study utilised a participatory approach, combining quantitative survey, qualitative focus group discussions, and consultations with key stakeholders, such as representatives from European institutions (ENISA, EDA, EC), national defence ministries, cybersecurity agencies, industrial players, and research institutions.

Key findings highlight critical gaps in collaboration and propose actionable insights to guide the development of a structured roadmap in Task 2.3. This roadmap establishes short-, medium-, and long-term strategies for fostering sustainable and integrated partnerships. The outcomes of this assessment provide a foundation for aligning civilian and defence efforts to address emerging cybersecurity challenges effectively.

Disclaimer

The COcyber project funded under Grant Agreement No. 101158606 is supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre. Neither the European Union nor the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre can be held responsible for them. 

The contents of this deliverable are presented for informational purposes only and are subject to the pending approval of the European Commission (EC). The information, data, and conclusions presented herein may undergo revisions or modifications following the review and approval process by the European Commission. Recipients of this document are advised that any actions, decisions, or reliance on the information provided should be exercised with caution until the final approval from the European Commission is obtained. The authors and distributors of this deliverable shall not be held liable for any consequences arising from the use of information that has not yet received official European Commission approval.

This 4th edition of the COcyber newsletter shares highlights from our third General Assembly, introduces the new cohort of COcyber Ambassadors, and presents two newly released deliverables alongside the latest platform features. It also includes video recaps from our key events, upcoming opportunities from our network, and important developments shaping Europe’s cybersecurity strategy.

This public deliverable is part of the COcyber Work Package (WP) 4  “Know-how, good practice sharing, and information transfer activities” and it is published under task 4.2 “Exchange of know-how and information-sharing activities”. COcyber is a two-year initiative supported by the European Commission and European Cybersecurity Competence Centre to foster the collaboration of civilian and defence cybersecurity sectors.   

Abstract

The COcyber Project Toolkit presents a comprehensive framework for enhancing European civilian-defence cybersecurity collaboration. The toolkit addresses eight critical community needs, including fragmented cybersecurity efforts, uncoordinated policies, limited cross-sector collaboration, and skills shortages. The document outlines six activity types, each strategically aligned with specific community needs and stakeholder groups. Activities are organised around six thematic topics.

The toolkit provides detailed implementation guidelines for both in-person and online event formats, covering strategic planning, technical infrastructure, audience engagement, and communication protocols. Key contributions include systematic tables connecting cybersecurity needs with appropriate activity types, technical specifications for different event formats, and standardised templates to ensure consistency across COcyber community activities.

This framework serves as both an operational guide for consortium partners and a lasting resource for the broader cybersecurity community. It supports sustainable civilian-defence collaboration networks and offers replicable methodologies for addressing evolving cyber threats.

Disclaimer

The COcyber project, funded under Grant Agreement No. 101158606, is supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre. Neither of these two organisations can be held responsible for them. 

The contents of this deliverable are presented for informational purposes only and are subject to the pending approval of the European Commission (EC). The information, data, and conclusions presented herein may be revised or modified following review and approval by the European Commission. Recipients of this document are advised that any actions, decisions, or reliance on the information provided should be exercised with caution until the final approval from the European Commission is obtained. The authors and distributors of this deliverable shall not be held liable for any consequences arising from the use of information that has not yet received official European Commission approval.

This public deliverable is part of the COcyber Work Package (WP) 6 Synergies with existing initiatives, exploitation and sustainability. COcyber is a two-year initiative supported by the European Commission and European Cybersecurity Competence Centre to foster the collaboration of civilian and defence cybersecurity sectors.

Abstract

This report examines the strategic and operational synergies between the COcyber project and a diverse range of European cybersecurity initiatives. As part of Work Package 6, this report identifies 20 relevant projects and policy efforts within the frameworks of the Digital Europe Programme, Horizon Europe, and defence-oriented schemes, assessing their alignment with COcyber’s objectives. The deliverable classifies these initiatives into key thematic clusters, including dual-use technology development, cyber resilience, regulatory alignment, knowledge transfer, and stakeholder engagement. It analyses the nature and scope of potential collaborations, maps existing interactions. It outlines a roadmap for sustained joint activities, such as co-hosted events, data and platform interoperability, and policy convergence initiatives. Additionally, the report addresses challenges like fragmented governance, data sharing limitations, and timeline misalignments. It concludes with recommendations for deepening collaboration through structured frameworks, expanding outreach, and creating enduring multi-project partnerships.

Disclaimer

The COcyber project, funded under Grant Agreement No. 101158606, is supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre. Neither of these two organisations can be held responsible for them. 

The contents of this deliverable are presented for informational purposes only and are subject to the pending approval of the European Commission (EC). The information, data, and conclusions presented herein may be revised or modified following review and approval by the European Commission. Recipients of this document are advised that any actions, decisions, or reliance on the information provided should be exercised with caution until the final approval from the European Commission is obtained. The authors and distributors of this deliverable shall not be held liable for any consequences arising from the use of information that has not yet received official European Commission approval.

This public deliverable is part of the COcyber Work Package (WP) 2 “Coordination activities between cybersecurity civilian and defence spheres”. COcyber is a two-year initiative supported by the European Commission and European Cybersecurity Competence Centre to foster the collaboration of civilian and defence cybersecurity sectors.  

Abstract

This deliverable presents the COcyber roadmap and activity implementation for the first project year, highlighting the coordination role and key achievements of the COcyber Secretariat. It outlines the processes established for governance, community engagement, and event planning, and details the Secretariat’s support in launching the first project activities. These included three high-impact events focused on capacity building, best practice validation, and research dissemination. The Secretariat’s efforts have strengthened internal coordination, advanced stakeholder engagement, and ensured

Disclaimer

The COcyber project, funded under Grant Agreement No. 101158606, is supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre. Neither of these two organisations can be held responsible for them. 

The contents of this deliverable are presented for informational purposes only and are subject to the pending approval of the European Commission (EC). The information, data, and conclusions presented herein may be revised or modified following review and approval by the European Commission. Recipients of this document are advised that any actions, decisions, or reliance on the information provided should be exercised with caution until the final approval from the European Commission is obtained. The authors and distributors of this deliverable shall not be held liable for any consequences arising from the use of information that has not yet received official European Commission approval.

COcyber’s second newsletter announces the hackathon proposed by COcyber to address phishing attacks using AI; this event, AI Cybersecurity Deephack, is organised online on April 24-26, 2025. Also, this edition announces the six ambassadors onboarded to the 1st batch of COcyber ambassadors programm,e as well as it shares the key results for the need analysis on how to bridge the gap between civilian and defence cyber security collaboration.

COcyber’s first newsletter edition, released in January 2024,  is dedicated to introducing the project and its initial activities, including the launch of the COcyber platform, the announcement of the ambassador programme, and the release of the needs assessment survey, which calls for input from European cybersecurity professionals. Additionally, it provides key updates from the European cybersecurity policy arena.

This public deliverable is part of the COcyber Work Package (WP) WP3 Cybersecurity Observatory and COcyber platform, under task 3.1 Cybersecurity Observatory. COcyber is a two-year initiative supported by the European Commission and European Cybersecurity Competence Centre to foster the collaboration of civilian and defence cybersecurity sectors.

Abstract

This document serves as a methodological note outlining the purpose, structure, and key features of the Interactive Online Map of the EU Cybersecurity Landscape. The map provides a comprehensive and dynamic visualisation of the cybersecurity ecosystem within the European Union and beyond, enabling users to explore key data and relationships across different countries.

The data integrated into the online map has been gathered from a range of open data sources, ensuring a broad and accurate representation of the cybersecurity landscape. The methodology behind data collection and consolidation will be detailed in this note to provide full transparency on the underlying process. This document aims to guide users in understanding the structure of the online map, the types of data it incorporates, and the insights it provides into the EU's cybersecurity environment. Through this map, stakeholders will gain valuable access to up-to-date, relevant information on the EU’s cybersecurity domain.

Disclaimer

The COcyber project, funded under Grant Agreement No. 101158606, is supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre. Neither of these two organisations can be held responsible for them. 

The contents of this deliverable are presented for informational purposes only and are subject to the pending approval of the European Commission (EC). The information, data, and conclusions presented herein may be revised or modified following review and approval by the European Commission. Recipients of this document are advised that any actions, decisions, or reliance on the information provided should be exercised with caution until the final approval from the European Commission is obtained. The authors and distributors of this deliverable shall not be held liable for any consequences arising from the use of information that has not yet received official European Commission approval.