The call for projects “2020 CEF Telecom Call – Cybersecurity”, around cybersecurity issues and in the framework of the European Interconnection Facility, took place between June 2020 and April 2021. 22 projects were selected by the European Commission and will thus have access to the collective fund of €11 million. This financial support will be used to strengthen the EU’s ability to reduce cyber incidents and cyber threats while discouraging their practice.
Winners in various fields of cyber security
The 22 beneficiaries of this funding are distributed as follows:
- 12 projects will provide support to essential service operators (ESOs), national competent authorities and information sharing and analysis.
- 4 will provide support for preparedness, situation analysis and coordinated response to cyber security incidents.
- 6 structures will provide support for cooperation and capacity building in order to meet the standards of cybersecurity certification.
These solutions are in various fields such as health, finance, water supply, transport or energy and come from 18 EU member states. These winners will work on the skills and tools that appear necessary to comply with the requirements set by the NIS Directive and the Cyber Security Regulation, while at the same time carrying out activities to strengthen cooperation at EU level.
The corresponding grant agreements for each project will be signed by the third quarter of 2021 and new projects should start before the end of the year.
A new EU cyber security strategy
Under the European Interconnection Facility, which this call for projects is part of, the EU has already provided almost €47.5 million to strengthen cybersecurity between 2014 and 2020. These measures and rules taken aim to increase the resilience of critical physical and digital entities. Moreover, the EU wants to invest in three areas related to cybersecurity:
- Resilience, technological sovereignty and leadership: reforming network and information systems security rules to ensure a common level of cybersecurity in the EU.
- Strengthening operational capabilities for prevention, deterrence and response: Designing a new Joint Cybersecurity Unit to enhance cooperation between EU bodies and Member States’ authorities responsible for prevention, deterrence and response to cyber threats.
- Promoting an open and global cyberspace through enhanced cooperation: The EU wants to intensify its work with international partners, strengthen its cyber diplomatic toolbox and increase its cyber capacity efforts through the development of an EU external cyber capacity building programme.
Under this strategy, more than €1 billion will be spent to implement these three areas and achieve the set goals. Other calls for projects on the theme of cybersecurity should be launched soon.
Translated from Cybersécurité : 22 lauréats sélectionnés dans le cadre de l’appel à projets de la Commission européenne
