Strengthening Synergies in Defence and Civilian Cybersecurity
Creating, gathering, analysing, enhancing, and disseminating vital cybersecurity knowledge, policy recommendations, best practices, and innovative strategies to civilians and militaries within the European Union cybersecurity framework.
Recent Actions
Kick-Off Meeting
20 June 2024, Constanta Maritime University
On June 20, 2024, the kickoff meeting for the ECYBRIDGE project marked the beginning of this pioneering initiative.
Prof. Gabriel Raicu, Rector of Constanta Maritime University and Project Director, and Ms. Martina Castiglioni, Programme Officer of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), opened the kickoff meeting.
Dr. Nicu Iancu, Project Coordinator and Vice-President of MARCYSCOE, moderated the Opening Panel on the paramount importance of civilian-defence synergies in EU cybersecurity. The panel featured notable experts from the consortium, including Prof. Dr. Todor Arpad, Col. Prof. Dr. Roceanu Ion, Col. Prof. Dr. Ion Bica, Mr. Alexandru Georgescu, and Ms. Valeria Popescu.
The discussions during the panel highlighted the critical need for robust collaboration between civilian and defence sectors to address the increasingly sophisticated cyber threats facing Europe. Panellists underscored the importance of creating an integrated approach to cybersecurity that leverages the strengths of both sectors. The collective expertise and diverse perspectives of the panel members set a strong foundation for the project’s objectives and future activities.
Dr. Nicu Iancu, who hosted the meeting, presented the project’s strategic framework, rationale, goals, milestones, and deliverables. He emphasised the critical importance of creating a synergistic framework that bridges the cybersecurity capabilities of the civilian and defence sectors in the European Union, aiming for a safer and more prosperous Europe.
The overarching take-off has been that this initiative represents a significant step in fostering collaboration and innovation in cybersecurity across the EU, aiming to address and mitigate the growing threats in the digital landscape.
Initiatives and Actions
International Conferences
Facilitating rigorous academic, professional, and policy-driven discussions by bringing together thought leaders, industry experts, and stakeholders.
3-5 December 2024
Organiser
Constanta Maritime University, Romania
December 2025
Anchoring Cyber Resilience: Cybersecurity Strategies for a Unified Digital Europe
Organiser
Constanta Maritime University, Romania
Workshops
Fostering in-depth, hands-on engagement and practical knowledge exchange by convening thought leaders, industry experts, and stakeholders for collaborative learning and skill-building sessions.
24 October 2024
Organiser
National Defence University, Romania
16 January 2025
Defensive Frontlines: Strengthening Cyber Resilience in Evolving Threat Landscapes
Organiser
Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre, Romania
August 2025
Harmonising Cybersecurity: Bridging Civilian and Defence Paradigms
Organiser
The National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics, Romania
January 2026
Digital Unity in Europe: Futureproofing Against Next-Gen Cyber Threats
Organiser
Constanta Maritime University, Romania
Tabletop Exercises
Enhancing cybersecurity preparedness and collaboration by evaluating and improving incident response procedures through real-world scenarios.
22-23 October 2024
Organiser
The Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate, Romania
October 2025
Mitigating future threats in a Unified Digital Europe
Organiser
Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre, Romania
White Papers
Synthesising insights from the project to provide actionable recommendations for enhancing EU cybersecurity measures and collaboration, while fostering understanding among stakeholders.
Training
Equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to enhance their organisation’s security posture and unify approaches across sectors and industries.
May 2025
Organised by RiskSight, Estonia
August 2025
Organised by RiskSight, Estonia
November 2025
Organised by RiskSight, Estonia
February 2026
Organised by RiskSight, Estonia
Roundtables
High-profile and timely events that brings together experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and cybersecurity professionals from across Europe to discuss the current cybersecurity
June 2025
Organised by Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre, Romania
May 2026
Organised by Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre, Romania
About The ECYBRIDGE Initiative
The ECYBRIDGE project, under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL-ECCC-2023-DEPLOY-CYBER-04), aims to create a comprehensive and cohesive approach to cybersecurity by fostering collaboration between civil and defence sectors, with the potential to significantly enhance Europe’s cyber resilience.
Recognising the intertwined nature of these sectors in today’s digital landscape, this project seeks to enhance exchange and collaboration between the cybersecurity civilian and defence spheres. By doing so, it cultivates a cohesive strategy that significantly increases Europe’s resilience against emerging cyber threats, providing a sense of security and protection to all stakeholders.
Cybersecurity meant and conducted in isolation is no longer adequate, as most threats are interconnected, with the boundaries between the civil and military sectors frequently blurred. To achieve increased security efficiency in cyberspace, we aim to adopt a converged approach involving all relevant stakeholders and actors. This will involve building an efficient defence synergistic mechanism that begins with mutual understanding and a shared vision, and concludes with common mechanisms and tools.
Recognising that cybersecurity is central to the safe digital transformation of the European Union, ECYBRIDGE is positioned to align with existing EU cybersecurity, defence, and research frameworks, as well as the themes and priorities of the European Defence Fund, Horizon Europe, and Digital Europe in the digital realm. Serving as a conduit for ideation and exploration, it also aims to offer a collaborative platform, paving the way for advanced cybersecurity solutions within the EU.
A Strategic Perspective for Strengthening Synergies in Defence and Civilian Cybersecurity in the EU
To effectively combat the complex and evolving landscape of cyber threats, it is imperative to adopt a strategic perspective that strengthens the synergies between defence and civilian cybersecurity within the EU. By integrating efforts across these sectors, the EU can reinforce a robust and cohesive cybersecurity framework, as outlined in the EU Cybersecurity Strategy adopted in 2020, thereby enhancing Europe’s resilience and preparedness.
The EU Cybersecurity Strategy focuses on safeguarding critical civilian services, such as hospitals, electricity networks, and trains, as well as securing the growing number of interconnected devices in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Furthermore, it places great importance on the enhancement of shared capacities to address major cyberattacks and promotes cooperation with foreign allies to guarantee worldwide security in the digital realm. (https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/cybersecurity-policies)
The objective of the Strategy is to ensure a global and unrestricted Internet while implementing robust measures to mitigate security threats and protect the fundamental rights of citizens across Europe. Building on the progress achieved in prior strategies, this vision introduces specific ideas to implement three primary tools: regulatory measures, investment efforts, and policy activities. (European Commission, 2020)
These instruments are designed to enhance resilience, technical independence, and leadership within the EU. By focusing on strengthening operational capabilities, the Strategy aims to prevent, deter, and respond effectively to cyber threats. Additionally, the Strategy emphasises the importance of fostering collaboration to advance a global and inclusive cyberspace. This collaborative approach ensures that all stakeholders, both within and outside the EU, work together to create a secure and open digital environment for everyone. (European Commission, 2020).
In response to the increasing occurrence of cyberattacks, espionage, and disinformation efforts explicitly targeting the EU and its Member States, the European Commission and the European External Action Service proposed a new EU Cyber Defence Policy in 2022. This policy aims to strengthen collaboration and investment in cyber defence to enhance the Union’s ability to prevent, detect, and deter intrusions.
The EU Cyber Defence Policy is organised into four primary pillars, encompassing a wide range of measures aimed at assisting the EU and its Member States. These pillars include a focus on collective action for a more robust EU cyber defence. Enhancing coordination mechanisms among national and EU cyber defence bodies is critical to strengthen collective action. This involves improving information exchange and collaboration between military and civilian cybersecurity communities, as well as providing more significant support for military Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations. (European Commission, 2022)
Securing the EU defence ecosystem is another key aspect of the policy, emphasising the importance of enhancing cybersecurity standardisation and certification to protect both military and civilian domains. This is crucial as even non-critical software components can be targeted for cyber-attacks on enterprises or governments, including within the defence sector. (European Commission, 2022)
The policy also mandates Member States to make substantial investments in advanced military cyber defence capabilities, with a focus on fostering collaboration. This will be achieved by utilising EU cooperation platforms and funding mechanisms, including PESCO, the European Defence Fund, Horizon Europe, and the Digital Europe Programme. (European Commission, 2022)
ECYBRIDGE Priotities
Cyber threats are inherently interconnected, impacting both civilian and military domains. The blurring of lines between these sectors necessitates a unified approach to cybersecurity. Threats can originate from a variety of sources, including state actors, organised crime, and independent hackers, targeting critical infrastructure, communication networks, and data repositories. Recognising this interconnected nature is crucial for developing comprehensive defence strategies that protect all facets of society.
An attack against private critical infrastructure can significantly impact military operations that rely on that infrastructure. Conversely, an attack on a military network can disrupt civilian systems and services that are interlinked with defence operations. This reciprocal vulnerability underscores the importance of a cohesive cybersecurity strategy that addresses the needs and interdependencies of both civilian and military sectors.
Strengthening the EU’s strategic autonomy in cybersecurity is essential for protecting its digital sovereignty. By developing independent capabilities and reducing reliance on external technologies, the EU can ensure greater control over its cybersecurity infrastructure. Additionally, by setting high standards and best practices, the EU can position itself as a global leader in cybersecurity, influencing international norms and fostering global partnerships that enhance collective security.
Efficient utilisation of resources is essential for strengthening cybersecurity. By pooling resources and expertise from both civilian and defence sectors, we can achieve a higher level of protection and operational efficiency. This approach involves sharing intelligence, technology, and best practices, which can lead to more informed and effective defence strategies.
Collaborative training programmes and joint exercises are crucial for enhancing the skills and preparedness of personnel across both sectors. These initiatives ensure that all stakeholders are equipped to respond to cyber threats in a coordinated and timely manner. By fostering a culture of cooperation and continuous learning, we can build a more resilient and responsive cybersecurity posture that benefits both civilian and military domains.
Developing unified response mechanisms is critical for effectively addressing cyber incidents. This involves establishing standardised protocols and communication channels that facilitate swift and seamless coordination between civilian and military entities. A unified response ensures that all relevant stakeholders are promptly informed and can act in a coordinated manner to mitigate threats, thereby reducing the impact of cyber incidents on national and European security.
Such mechanisms will enable real-time information sharing and collaborative decision-making, which are essential for a rapid and effective response. By integrating the efforts of various sectors, the EU can ensure a comprehensive approach to incident management, enhancing the overall resilience and security of both civilian and defence infrastructures.
Aligning policies, strategies and regulations across the EU is vital for a consistent and effective cybersecurity strategy. Harmonised regulations eliminate gaps and reduce redundancies, making it easier to implement and enforce cybersecurity measures. Policy coherence ensures that all sectors adhere to the same standards, facilitating cooperation and information sharing. It also supports the development of a unified legal framework that addresses the complexities of cyber threats.
Public-private partnerships are instrumental in creating a robust cybersecurity ecosystem. Engaging the private sector brings additional expertise, resources, and innovation to the table. These partnerships enable the sharing of threat intelligence, the development of advanced cybersecurity technologies, and the implementation of effective defence strategies. Collaboration with industry leaders ensures that cybersecurity measures are comprehensive and that the private sector is actively involved in protecting critical infrastructure and data.