Digital4Security: Pioneering Europe’s Cybersecurity Education

In a landmark move for cybersecurity education in Europe, Professor Georges Ataya, Academic Director at Solvay Lifelong Learning and founder of the Executive Master in Cybersecurity Management, proudly announces Solvay’s involvement in the Digital4Security programme—a groundbreaking new European initiative funded by the European Union.

Launched in October 2023, Digital4Security is a €20 million EU-funded project awarded under the DIGITAL Europe programme. Its mission? To equip Europe’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with critical knowledge in cybersecurity management, regulatory compliance, and technical skills.

This initiative is supported by a consortium of 35 partners across 14 EU countries, reflecting the widespread commitment to strengthening Europe's defences against emerging cybersecurity threats. Digital4Security aims to safeguard economic prosperity and foster long-term competitiveness by continuously evolving to counter new risks.

Graduates of the programme will benefit from both academic accreditation and industry certification, arming them with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to enhance cybersecurity infrastructures and manage incidents effectively. These graduates will fill high-demand roles identified in ENISA's European Cybersecurity Skills Framework (ECSF), a vital component in supporting Europe’s business community.

Solvay’s Leading Role in Digital4Security

At Solvay Lifelong Learning, the Executive Master in Cybersecurity Management has already adopted the ENISA Cybersecurity Skills Framework, and the programme offers full access to Skillsbeam.io, an innovative tool for assessing and improving cybersecurity skills. This tool helps professionals advance their careers while enhancing their organisations’ cybersecurity readiness.

Professor Ataya remarked,

“We are proud to contribute to the development of modules for the Digital4Security Master, building on the existing Executive Master programme. With more than 20 years of Information Security education at Solvay, we are uniquely positioned to deliver education that aligns with European roles and business needs.

Among the modules Professor Ataya has developed are Cybersecurity Culture and Leadership, Cybersecurity Auditing, and The CISO and Crisis Communication. Other consortium members, including top European universities, are developing additional modules. This collaborative project is led by Professor Ciprian Dobre from the National University of Science and Technology Politehnica of Bucharest.

Moving Forward

Digital4Security represents a major step forward in preparing Europe’s workforce for the cybersecurity challenges of the future. With Solvay’s expertise and leadership, this programme will help ensure that SMEs across Europe are better equipped to manage and mitigate cyber risks, thereby securing their long-term success.