CYBERUNITY, an EU-backed initiative, aims to boost cybersecurity across Europe by building an interoperable network of cyber ranges. This innovative platform connects partner infrastructures to develop shared standards and a secure framework for cross-border cyber training. By simulating real-world scenarios in critical sectors, CYBERUNITY will support 2,000 cyber defenders, including those in underserved areas.
By advancing “Cyber-Range-as-a-Service” (CRaaS) and creating a central Knowledge Repository, CYBERUNITY promotes secure, collaborative, and privacy-compliant cyber training across Europe.
CYNET – Cyprus’ National Research and Education Network
CYNET is Cyprus’ National Research and Education Network and a non-profit foundation under Cypriot law. It provides advanced network services to the Cypriot academic and research community.
CYNET-CSIRT, the Academic Computer Security Incident Response Team founded by CYNET, provides:
- Incident response and security services to all academic institutions, research institutes, and educational networks within CYNET.
- Early warnings, alerts, announcements, and dissemination of information regarding risks and incidents.
- Education and training for members on the effects of cyber threats and cybercrime, including the use of tools for early warnings and alerts.
CYNET is actively involved in CYBERUNITY as Work Package leaders on WP5, tasked with building the CYBERUNITY users’ community, which includes both academia and industry. Their responsibilities include:
- Cyber Range-as-a-Service (CRaaS): Providing a unified cyber range platform accessible to users across Europe.
- Testing and Validation: Ensuring the cyber range infrastructure works effectively and simulates real-world scenarios.
- Demonstration and Community Building: Organizing events and initiatives to showcase the platform and engage a community of users and experts.
- Cyber Ranges Interoperability Certification: Certifying that different cyber ranges can operate together seamlessly.
CYNET also contributes to:
- WP3 Task 3.4 – Common Cyber Range Exercises Reporting: Development of the Service Manager (SM) and Resource Manager (RM).
- WP6 Task 6.4 – Clustering Activities with relevant projects & stakeholders: Interaction with EU-funded projects under the same topic and other relevant initiatives to build a knowledge-sharing community.
Challenges in Enhancing EU Cybersecurity Resilience
Strengthening Europe’s cybersecurity is a complex task, and CYBERUNITY is tackling several technical, operational, and strategic challenges head-on:
Technical challenges:
- Integrating diverse cyber ranges across member states: CYBERUNITY is developing common standards and interoperability frameworks to connect cyber ranges across member states.
- Simulating complex and evolving cyber threats: The project creates its scenarios to reflect emerging cyber threats, ensuring relevant and practical training
- Ensuring compliance with data protection regulations: CYBERUNITY embeds privacy-by-design principles and GDPR compliance across its platform.
Operational challenges:
- Cross-border coordination: It fosters collaboration between member states, enabling smooth information sharing and joint exercises.
- Securing adequate skilled personnel and infrastructure: Aiming to train 2,000 cyber defenders.
- Establishing robust training and evaluation methods to translate exercises into real-world preparedness.
Strategic challenges:
- Regulatory alignment: CYBERUNITY contributes to harmonizing national and EU cybersecurity frameworks
- Public-private collaboration: The initiative brings together academia, industry, and public institutions to share knowledge and best practices.
- Sustainability: By promoting its solutions, CYBERUNITY ensures that its benefits extend well beyond the project’s lifetime
Acknowledgments
This project has received funding from the Digital Europe Programme under grant agreement No. 101128024.
References
- European Commission. Digital Europe Programme. Available at: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/digital-programme
- European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). Cybersecurity in the EU: Strategy and Challenges.
- DIGITAL-ECCC-2022-CYBER-03-CYBER-RESILIENCE Project Documentation.