Cybersecurity has never been more important. As digital threats grow in scale and sophistication, protecting Europe’s data, infrastructure, and people is now at the very top of the EU agenda. That’s why every October, the European Union dedicates a full month to raising awareness and strengthening resilience through the European Cybersecurity Month initiative.
Cybersecurity, however, is not a new topic for us - we’ve written about it many times before. In this article, we take a more comprehensive look at the subject: why cybersecurity is a strategic priority for the European Union, which EU programmes concentrate funding calls in this area, and how Tiko Pro contributes to building a more resilient Europe through our role in European projects.
European Cybersecurity Month
As you’re probably aware, digital threats are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated, which is why safeguarding Europe’s data, infrastructure, and citizens has risen to the very top of the EU’s priorities. To highlight this commitment, every October the European Union launches the European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM) - a continent-wide awareness campaign coordinated by ENISA and the European Commission, and supported by EU Member States, universities, businesses and cybersecurity professionals.
What makes ECSM unique is the way it is implemented. It is not only a Brussels-led initiative but a truly pan-European campaign, with activities organized across Member States by national authorities and local partners. Throughout October, hundreds of events take place - from webinars and workshops to training sessions, awareness campaigns, and hands-on exercises. All of these activities share one common goal: to equip citizens and organizations with the skills and knowledge to stay safe online.
This initiative is not just about awareness - it is built on a meaningful message. Since its launch in 2012, the European Cybersecurity Month has united partners across Europe under the shared slogan “Cybersecurity is a Shared Responsibility.” By engaging citizens, companies, and governments alike, the campaign underlines that resilience cannot be built in isolation, it requires collective action at every level of society. In 2020, “Think Before U Click” became the official motto of the campaign, drawing attention to phishing, impersonation, and other deceptive practices that remain among the most common and dangerous cyber threats.
Why Cybersecurity Matters for the EU
Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue - it is a cornerstone of Europe’s digital future. As outlined in the EU’s Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade, it is essential to safeguarding the economy, protecting people, and ensuring trust in the digital services that we all rely on every day. Without strong defences, the risks go far beyond individual data breaches: entire healthcare systems, energy networks, financial services, and even democratic institutions could be exposed. We already explored the broader Digital Decade initiative in our September deep dive, and cybersecurity is one of its most critical pillars.
The EU’s digital sovereignty depends directly on strong cybersecurity. As highlighted in the Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade, Europe’s investments in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cloud infrastructure, and common data spaces can only reach their full potential if they are safeguarded from external threats. Protecting these assets is therefore not just a technical challenge, but a strategic necessity - one that underpins the EU’s broader goals of competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience. At the same time, the growing reliance on digital technologies creates an urgent need for cross-border cooperation. Cyber threats do not stop at national borders, and a fragmented response would leave critical gaps. This is why the EU cybersecurity strategy emphasises collective action, bringing Member States together to anticipate, detect, and respond to cyber incidents in a coordinated way.
For businesses and research organizations, this emphasis on cybersecurity translates into both responsibility and opportunity. The responsibility lies in meeting higher security requirements and protecting sensitive data. The opportunity comes in the form of EU funding programmes that support innovative solutions, new services, and stronger defenses - turning cybersecurity from a cost into a driver of growth and trust.
EU Programmes Supporting Cybersecurity
European Cybersecurity Month is not the only initiative through which Europe is strengthening cybersecurity awareness and resilience. Recognising the critical importance of this field, the European Union has also embedded cybersecurity funding into several of its flagship programmes. These initiatives create opportunities for companies, research institutions, and public bodies to develop cutting-edge solutions and reinforce Europe’s capacity to withstand growing digital threats.
As you already know from our previous newsletters, the Digital Europe Programme (DEP) and Horizon Europe are key EU instruments for funding cybersecurity projects.
The ECCC Digital Europe Programme 2025–2027 dedicates around €390 million to strengthening Europe’s cyber resilience. It focuses on deploying advanced threat detection and incident response tools, supporting the transition to post-quantum cryptography, implementing the Cyber Solidarity Act, and boosting compliance with EU regulations such as NIS 2 and the Cyber Resilience Act. The programme also enhances the protection of SMEs, hospitals, and public administrations, ensuring the essential services citizens rely on every day remain secure.
In this context, we would like to draw particular attention to an upcoming cybersecurity call: €15 million for the uptake of innovative cybersecurity solutions for SMEs, supporting the adoption of AI-powered and other advanced tools to strengthen resilience. With an indicative deadline in Q1 2026, this call is designed to deliver tangible results, enabling Europe’s industries, innovators, and SMEs to drive forward the digital transformation.
Meanwhile, Horizon Europe, the EU’s €93.5 billion research and innovation programme, tackles cybersecurity from the perspective of innovation and long-term resilience. Under Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society, it funds projects in areas like next-generation encryption, AI-powered threat monitoring, and cyber-physical security, fostering cross-border collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches.
Cybersecurity is also addressed through complementary EU instruments:
- The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital) contributes by ensuring that new cross-border digital infrastructures are built with security and resilience in mind.
- The European Defence Fund (EDF), which integrates cybersecurity into Europe’s defence capabilities.
- Regional and national funding streams co-financed by the EU, often focusing on SME adoption of cybersecurity solutions.
Taken together, these programmes reflect the EU’s holistic approach to protecting data, infrastructure, and citizens.
Tiko Pro’s Contribution to Cybersecurity
At Tiko Pro, we are proud to contribute directly to Europe’s resilience against cyber threats by actively participating in EU-funded projects. Our role goes beyond consulting. In the projects we are involved in, we have helped shape the consortiums and contributed already at the project preparation stage. Now, as these projects are being implemented, we take on the role of Work Package Leader for communication and dissemination.
Our expertise extends to designing and delivering high-quality communication and dissemination strategies, supported by our in-house specialists in communication and marketing. This ensures that every project we participate in not only delivers innovative technical results, but also reaches the right audiences, builds awareness, and creates lasting impact.
Currently, Tiko Pro is engaged in three projects with a direct focus on cybersecurity and resilience. Funded under the Digital Europe Programme (DEP), INTERCEPT, ALIENS-SOC, and CRACoWi each address complementary aspects of cybersecurity.
The INTERCEPT project focuses on building a central, cross-border Threat Sharing Platform (TSP) to enhance the capabilities of Security Operations Centers (SOCs) in Croatia and Slovenia. Its main objective is to strengthen SOCs by developing advanced technologies and fostering cross-border collaboration, enabling faster and more effective responses to emerging cybersecurity threats.
ALiEnS-SOC develops AI-driven cybersecurity solutions for Slovenia’s electro-energy sector, piloted in a National SOC. By combining AI defense, CTI sharing, digital twin honeypots, and advanced email security, the project strengthens resilience, speeds response, and fosters EU-wide cooperation.
CRACoWi is an innovative project tackling the growing cybersecurity challenges in the European digital market. Developed in response to the European Commission’s Cyber Resilience Act, it provides essential tools and support to help SMEs, manufacturers, distributors, and importers comply with new cybersecurity standards across the entire product lifecycle. The project’s final product will be a digital assistant (wizard) that guides companies in making their products secure from the start, throughout their lifecycle, and even after they reach the market.
We are glad to contribute to a more resilient and secure digital future for Europe through our work on these cutting-edge cybersecurity projects funded by the Digital Europe Programme.
Let’s Build a Safer Digital Future
Cybersecurity is not just a technical requirement – it is the foundation of trust in Europe’s digital future. As cyber threats evolve, the EU is investing heavily in awareness, resilience, and innovation, with dedicated funding streams under Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme. For companies and research organizations, this means there has never been a better time to bring forward new ideas and solutions.
In this article we’ve shared insights into the cybersecurity projects where Tiko Pro plays a role as a communication and dissemination partner. Beyond that, our consulting services can help you secure EU funding and bring your innovative cybersecurity ideas to life.
Got an idea? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Together, we can turn your vision into a funded project that helps build a safer digital future for all.