EU cybersecurity has become a major part of modern life as Europe enters the digital world
From hospitals and energy networks to smartphones and connected home devices, digital technologies now underpin essential services and daily routines.
While this digital transformation brings innovation and efficiency, it also increases exposure to cyber threats such as phishing, malware, data breaches, network disruptions and surveillance.
In response to the growing scale and sophistication of cyber attacks, the European Union is stepping up efforts to strengthen cybersecurity across all sectors. The EU Cybersecurity Strategy, presented in 2020, laid the foundations for a more resilient digital Europe by promoting secure technologies that citizens and businesses can trust.
Building on the EU Cybersecurity Strategy a new cybersecurity package proposed in January 2026 aims to further create protection, including revising the Cybersecurity Act to improve EU-wide certification of digital products, services and processes.
Alongside policy initiatives, EU-funded projects managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency are playing a big role in turning strategy into action.
Building Europe’s cybersecurity skills
A strong cybersecurity ecosystem depends on skilled professionals. As digitalisation accelerates, Europe faces a growing demand for experts capable of protecting complex digital systems. T
The CyberSecPro project addresses this challenge by developing advanced education and training materials for cybersecurity professionals across multiple sectors.
Funded by the Digital Europe Programme, CyberSecPro brings together universities and companies from across the EU to analyse labour market needs, identify skills gaps and provide targeted training resources.
The project also supports networking and knowledge-sharing events and is developing a certification scheme to formally recognise cybersecurity competencies.
By applying the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework, CyberSecPro helps create a shared understanding of professional roles, skills and competences across Europe, supporting workforce mobility and strengthening overall cybersecurity capacity.
Securing communications from space
Space technologies are opening new pathways for secure digital communications. The QUDICE project demonstrates how satellite-based solutions can enhance cybersecurity through Quantum Key Distribution, a method that leverages quantum mechanics to securely exchange encryption keys.
Funded under Horizon Europe’s space programme, QUDICE has developed key components for space-based quantum communication systems. These advances support secure and affordable satellite communications while reinforcing Europe’s technological independence and competitiveness in the space sector.
Safer and faster connectivity for cities
Cybersecurity is also critical at the local level. The C CHARTRES 5G project is deploying private, secure and high-performance 5G networks across several municipalities in the Chartres metropolitan area in France.
Supported by the Connecting Europe Facility: Digital, the project enables local authorities and businesses to benefit from fast, reliable connectivity while reducing their exposure to cyber risks. A live demonstration in 2025 showed how a temporary private 5G network could securely support critical communications, video surveillance and access control during a major public event.
Healthcare systems are increasingly reliant on connected medical devices that collect and transmit sensitive data. Ensuring the cybersecurity of these devices is essential to protecting patient safety, maintaining hospital operations, and building trust in digital health technologies.
The CYLCOMED project, funded under Horizon Europe’s health programme, focuses on strengthening the security of connected medical devices.
It has developed an AI-driven toolbox that addresses data protection, identity management, access control and threat detection.
These projects show how EU investment is translating cybersecurity policy into practical solutions that protect citizens, infrastructure and critical services across Europe.
