A European project aimed at strengthening cybersecurity skills and reducing the digital maturity gap in Italy and across Europe.
The increasing adoption of digitalisation, cloud computing (the use of shared computing resources accessible online), automation and artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming the way businesses and public organisations operate and deliver services. Alongside the opportunities, however, cyber risks are also on the rise. Today, cybersecurity can no longer be seen as optional; it has become an essential component for ensuring operational continuity, service reliability and data protection.
In Italy, the level of maturity in managing cybersecurity remains limited, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public sector organisations. According to recent national analyses, many organisations struggle to face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, comply with European regulatory requirements, and develop the necessary internal skills, often due to limited resources and a shortage of specialised professionals.
It is in this context that CYCERONE was launched, a European project funded by the European Union, with the aim of supporting the shift from a reactive approach to cyber risk towards genuine digital resilience by strengthening cybersecurity competencies. The project seeks to create a European reference platform for cybersecurity education and professional development, providing a single access point to learning pathways and training opportunities, particularly for SMEs and public administrations, in line with European initiatives such as the Cybersecurity Skills Academy.
The Politecnico di Milano participates in CYCERONE through the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), which leads the university’s research and education activities in cybersecurity, and the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering (DIG). DIG contributes with its consolidated expertise in risk management, cybersecurity governance and organisational process analysis.
Within CYCERONE, the Politecnico di Milano is involved in designing the structure of the Cybersecurity Academy and developing its educational programmes, with particular attention to integrating technological, organisational and managerial aspects in line with the needs of SMEs and public administrations.
The project is coordinated by 28Digital (the largest European open innovation ecosystem, formerly known as EITDigital), which leads the consortium of European partners involved.
Through CYCERONE, the Politecnico di Milano strengthens its commitment to supporting businesses and public institutions in improving awareness, preparedness and digital resilience, contributing to the development of a safer and more sustainable European digital ecosystem.
For more information about the project and its activities, please visit the official website and the project’s LinkedIn page.