D4.8 EU CS&P cluster engagement final report

Clusters are groups of specialized companies, many SMEs, and other related actors, such as Universities and public administrations that cooperate closely together in a particular sector and geographical location. In D4.2 the first of three EU Cybersecurity and privacy cluster engagement reports1 published in July 2018 (M27), cyberwatching.eu reported on how it has identified and interacted with clusters actively working in Cybersecurity and Privacy (CS&P) across Europe and a catalogue of these clusters published on the cyberwatching.eu website2. In D4.53 the second of the reports published in June 2019 (M26), cyberwatching.eu reported on how to consolidate the relationship with a targeted group of clusters to ignite real interaction.

Three clusters in particular, were already engaged and very committed to interacting with cyberwatching.eu. In D4.64, the third report published in April 2020 (M36), cyberwatching.eu reported an increased number of engaged clusters covering a wider European geographic area and consolidating the relationships established through the joint development of webinars and the promotion of the tools developed within cyberwatching. In the following months (M37-M50), efforts have focused on understanding the implications of clusters in the new key figure in the digital transformation of companies and public entities: the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). cyberwatching.eu has extended its positive impact on the clusters and their members by promoting project assets such as the GDPR temperature tool; providing networking opportunities with the R&I community; and raising awareness of emerging technologies and opportunities for businesses, and SME success stories.

A key channel for this support is the provision of joint webinars which is being carried out. cyberwatching.eu has also focused on guaranteeing the sustainability of the project assets. The services offered by cyberwatching.eu have companies as end users, especially SMEs, and clusters and EDIHs are the instrument to reach them. With the leading role of AEI Ciberseguridad offering the assets as part of the services of the new Cybersecurity Innovation Hub, based in Castilla y Leon region, with national focus and European added value, the sustainability of the tools is guaranteed, especially with joint effort from AEI Ciberseguridad and DIGITAL SME in consolidating the relationships with clusters and EDIHs.