National Cyber Security Coordination and Development Centre

National Cyber Security Development Centre Ireland

Background

The development and implementation of the National Cyber Security Coordination and Development Centre for Ireland, generically known as the NCC-IE, under the Capacity Building remit of the National Cyber Security Centre is a key priority identified as part of the midterm review of Ireland's National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024 as well as under the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and Network Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/887).

NCC-IE has three distinct roles, namely:

contribution to policy and strategy formulation on cybersecurity funding supports, including national gatekeeper of the Union's Cybersecurity Competence Community;
coordination and outreach to industry, academia, research and other societal stakeholders in regard to awareness and promotion of funding supports and associated networking opportunities, and;
distribution of small amounts of Union and matching national funds to industry and societal stakeholders, notably small and medium sized enterprises (SME) to strengthen the uptake of state of the art cybersecurity solutions.

Through 5 Work Progammes NCC-IE will seek to:

adequately resource NCC-IE itself to realise the level of ambition outlined in the reviewed National Strategy and the Union Regulation, enabling it to proactively contribute to the Network of NCCs;
facilitate the realisation of a vibrant national cybersecurity ecosystem that is engaged on a cross border basis within the Union, and:
provide targeted financial support to both improve cybersecurity resilience and facilitate innovation.

National Cyber Security Development Centre Ireland_Project_Management_Diagram

There will be a focus on supporting indigenous Irish and other Union enterprises to build up European industrial capacity in cybersecurity.

Digital Europe Programme (DEP) call for proposals on Advanced Digital Skills

On 21 November, the European Commission will open the 5th round of DIGITAL Europe Programme call for proposals on Advanced Digital Skills . A total budget of €42 million will be allocated to design and support:

Specialised education programmes in key capacity areas and Advanced Digital Skills Analysis : These two calls will build on the experience of the first calls for Master's in the Digital Europe programme and will address the latest initiatives to support the development and deployment of key digital skills in digital technology areas, such as AI, Internet of Things, as other trans-or multi-disciplinary areas, and their applications in strategic sectors.

Cybersecurity Skills Academy : The fundings available for this call will support new training opportunities or expand successful ones, particularly to meet the needs of SMEs and public administration. The goal is to enhance access to cybersecurity talent and upskill civil servants for robust digital public administration security. Consortia of organisations active in the domain of cybersecurity, universities or training providers should devise and deliver the activities of the Academy.

The call is now published on the official Funding and Tenders Portal and the submission of applications will close on 21 March 2024 17:00 Brussels time.

The European Commission have published a new series of calls for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme (DEP).

The Cybersecurity Calls encompass six distinct topics, ranging from application of enabling technologies and AI for Security Operation Centres (SOCs) to compliance with the Cyber Resilience Act.

Please contact ncc-ncsc@ncsc.gov.ie if you have any further queries.