EU grants nearly €49 million to boost innovation in cybersecurity and privacy systems

The Commission announced today that it will commit nearly €41 million, through Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innovation programme, to support 9 projects aimed at working on innovative cybersecurity and privacy solutions. Five of these new projects will concentrate on cybersecurity and privacy solutions for citizens and small and medium businesses (SMEs). The other four projects will work on improving critical security systems, such as healthcare infrastructures and multimodal transport systems. Furthermore, 21 projects will be funded through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the European networks and infrastructures programme, also covering the digital sector. With a total of €7.6 million, the latter projects will strengthen the EU’s cybersecurity capacity to be better prepared and counter more efficiently cyber-threats and incidents. Three hospitals in Croatia and Latvia will, for example, increase their preparedness by implementing technical and organisational improvements, while an Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) for the Italian aviation sector will be set up. The support to the new projects is part of the EU’s commitment to build a strong cybersecurity culture and capabilities to resist and respond to future cyber threats and attacks. More information on the EU’s actions to strengthen cybersecurity capacities, including for 5G networks, is available in this Q&A. Information about EU-funded cybersecurity projects is available here, and for new funding opportunities see current Horizon 2020 and upcoming CEF calls on Security, Digital Security, Artificial Intelligence and Infrastructure protection.