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DIGITALEUROPE is the leading trade association representing digitally transforming industries in Europe. Based in Brussels, it brings together over 120 major technology companies and 41 national trade associations, representing around 45,000 businesses across the continent. Its mission is simple but ambitious: to create a regulatory and market environment where European people and organisations can prosper thanks to digital technologies, whether that’s AI adoption for SMEs, modernising public services, or building a secure single market for data and cloud.
Within the CYCERONE project, DIGITALEUROPE is responsible for connecting the CYCERONE Portal with the wider EU cybersecurity ecosystem.
Concretely, this means:
- Coordinating stakeholder engagement around cybersecurity skills
- Bringing together owners of existing solutions, projects and initiatives (including those linked to the EU Cybersecurity Skills Academy)
- Connecting with key players such as the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), the Network of National Coordination Centres (NCCs), ENISA and other EU-funded initiatives on cyber skills
- Organising a high-level roundtable with these actors to explore synergies and exploitation of results.
The results of these stakeholder engagement activities will inform the content creation of the portal. In other words, DIGITALEUROPE acts as the “connector” between CYCERONE and the broader EU cybersecurity skills landscape, ensuring the portal doesn’t reinvent the wheel but instead builds on what already works.
Europe is making major investments in AI, cybersecurity and digital skills through programmes like the Digital Europe Programme, which alone will invest over €1.3 billion in these areas between 2025 and 2027 1 .
CYCERONE and DIGITALEUROPE sit right at the centre of this ecosystem, linked to:
- The EU Cybersecurity Skills Academy: the EU’s umbrella initiative to coordinate cyber skills actions and close the cybersecurity talent gap across
Member States.
- The European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) and NCCs: building a strong cybersecurity community and supporting innovation and capacity-building projects across the EU.
- ENISA and the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework (ECSF): defining common role profiles and skills, so training like CYCERONE’s is aligned with real workforce needs and with NIS2-related requirements.
By leveraging these links, DIGITALEUROPE helps CYCERONE ensure that its training offer is fully aligned with EU policy priorities and recognised skills frameworks, which is crucial for organisations looking to invest in reskilling in AI and cybersecurity.
DIGITALEUROPE’s strength is its network: large tech companies, national trade associations, and thousands of SMEs across Europe.
For SMEs, this means:
- Access to practical guidance on AI adoption for SMEs and secure digital transformation
- Tailored awareness of CYCERONE training opportunities that are free, high- quality, and aligned with EU standards
- A direct link between training content and real market needs, thanks to industry input
For the public sector, the network helps:
- Connect CYCERONE with public bodies facing similar challenges in AI and public sector in all Member States
- Promote training that supports compliance with EU cybersecurity legislation and emerging AI rules
- Equip civil servants and IT teams with the skills to securely deploy AI, cloud and data-driven services
For cybersecurity professionals, DIGITALEUROPE’s involvement ensures that:
- The content reflects state-of-the-art practice from leading companies and security experts
- Training aligns with recognised European frameworks like the ECSF, supporting careers across borders
- There is a bridge between technical skills and policy, helping experts understand the regulatory environment they work in.
Ultimately, this collaboration between CYCERONE and DIGITALEUROPE supports European digital resilience and workforce development: helping organisations build teams that understand both AI and cybersecurity, and can translate that knowledge into safer, more innovative services.
Want to stay informed about the latest in AI and cybersecurity?
Visit the CYCERONE website and subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on free training opportunities, industry insights, and more. Don’t miss out on the chance to upskill your team and stay ahead in the digital age!
1 https://digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu/en/about/digital-europe-
programme#:~:text=technologies%20across%20Europe.-
,Work%20programme%202025%2D2027,skills%2C%20AI%2C%20and%20cybersecurity.
