The Cybersecurity Skills Coalition – European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (CSC-EDIC) has reached a major milestone with the formalization of its Grant Agreement under the Digital Europe Programme. This marks the official launch of a flagship European initiative aimed at addressing the growing cybersecurity skills gap and strengthening digital resilience across the European Union.
CSC-EDIC is designed as a multi-country effort bringing together Member States, academic institutions, industry leaders, and public sector stakeholders. Its core objective is to establish a sustainable, scalable, and interoperable framework for cybersecurity education, training, and capacity building. Through coordinated actions, CSC-EDIC will support the development of a highly skilled workforce aligned with the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework (ECSF) and the Digital Decade Policy Programme.
A Strategic Step for Europe’s Cybersecurity Future
The launch of CSC-EDIC comes at a critical time, as Europe faces increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals across all sectors. By creating a centralized hub for skills development, collaboration, and innovation, CSC-EDIC will play a pivotal role in enhancing the EU’s strategic autonomy and ability to respond to evolving cyber threats.
The initiative will focus on:
- Establishing a formal European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC)
- Developing advanced training programmes, including cyber labs and cyber ranges
- Supporting collaboration between academia, industry, and public administrations
- Providing strategic frameworks and workforce intelligence across Member States
- Promoting inclusivity and reducing the digital divide in cybersecurity skills
Driving Collaboration and Impact
CSC-EDIC will act as a catalyst for cross-border cooperation, enabling the alignment of national strategies with EU-wide priorities. By leveraging synergies with key initiatives such as the Cybersecurity Skills Academy, as well as projects like AKADIMOS and CADMUS, the consortium will contribute to a cohesive and high-impact cybersecurity skills ecosystem.
The project also places strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that training opportunities reach underrepresented regions and groups, thereby fostering a more diverse and resilient European cybersecurity workforce.
Looking Ahead
With the agreement now in place, CSC-EDIC enters its implementation phase, focusing on the establishment of governance structures, infrastructure development, and the rollout of training and collaboration activities.
The launch of CSC-EDIC represents a significant step forward in Europe’s journey toward a secure, competitive, and digitally empowered future.
Project Reference: 101226247 — CSC-EDIC
Programme: Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL-2024-BESTUSE-07-MULTICOUNTRY)