---
title: "COcyber: Bridging Civilian and Defence Cybersecurity in Europe"
description: Discover how the COcyber project is enhancing collaboration between civilian and defence cybersecurity sectors, led by Solvay and its partners, to strengthen Europe’s digital security.
---

[Blog | Solvay Lifelong Learning ](https://exed.solvay.edu/en/blog)

# [COcyber: Bridging Civilian and Defence Cybersecurity in Europe](https://exed.solvay.edu/en/blog/cocyber-bridging-civilian-and-defence-cybersecurity-europe)

 Written by [Marianna Rousaki](https://exed.solvay.edu/en/blog/author/marianna-rousaki) | 9/30/24 2:01 PM

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, the **COcyber** project, launched in August 2024, seeks to enhance collaboration between civilian and defence spheres to build a stronger, unified front against cyber risks. With five distinguished partners, including the **Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)** and **Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management**, this multidisciplinary team is leading a two-year project that focuses on coordination, knowledge exchange, and innovation in cybersecurity.

Professor Georges Ataya, from Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, directs a series of deliverables in collaboration with a team of five researchers, all contributing to the development of a strategic framework for structured knowledge transfer between these two critical sectors.

**Key Partners of COcyber:**

- **Université libre de Bruxelles**: Facilitates knowledge exchange through case studies and collaborative research.
- **European Organisation for Security (EOS)**: Builds strong community ties and fosters collaboration across the network.
- **The Lisbon Council**: Develops and manages the **COcyber platform**, an online hub for sharing information and best practices.
- **AUSTRALO**: Manages communication strategies and stakeholder engagement to maximise the impact of the project.
- **EIT Digital**: Oversees project coordination and management.

## Driving Innovation and Harmonisation in Cybersecurity

The **COcyber** initiative aims to bridge the gap between civilian and defence spheres by creating a trusted, participatory platform that fosters collaboration across all cybersecurity stakeholders. This platform will include a **cybersecurity observatory**, which will serve as a critical tool for monitoring and sharing information.

The project also organises high-impact events and activities focused on cybersecurity innovation, dual-use technologies, and governance. These efforts will culminate in policy recommendations to help harmonise cybersecurity actions across EU Member States, ensuring a coordinated response to emerging threats.

Already, the ULB team has launched three foundational tasks: identifying needs, building requirements for the cybersecurity observatory, and documenting successful cooperation cases across Europe.

**Funded by the European Union**, COcyber is conducted under the guidance of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, positioning it as a key initiative in shaping Europe’s cybersecurity future.

 

- Are you interested in joining our latest cohort of The Executive Master in Cybersecurity Management? See all the information about it [on our programme page](https://exed.solvay.edu/en/executive-education/digital-transformation-and-governance/executive-master-in-cybersecurity-management?hsLang=en)!<https://exed.solvay.edu/11-program/1050-advanced-master-in-biotech-and-medtech-ventures?hsLang=en>

 

[View full post](https://exed.solvay.edu/en/blog/cocyber-bridging-civilian-and-defence-cybersecurity-europe)

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