The increasing adoption of digitalisation, cloud computing, automation and artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming the way businesses and public organisations operate and deliver services. Alongside the opportunities, however, cyber risks are also on the rise. Today, cybersecurity can no longer be seen as optional; it has become an essential component for ensuring operational continuity, service reliability and data protection.
In Italy, the level of maturity in managing cybersecurity remains limited, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public sector organisations. According to recent national analyses, many organisations struggle to face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, comply with European regulatory requirements, and develop the necessary internal skills, often due to limited resources and a shortage of specialised professionals.
It is in this context that CYCERONE was launched, a project funded by the European Union, with the aim of supporting the shift from a reactive approach to cyber risk towards genuine digital resilience by strengthening cybersecurity competencies. The project seeks to create a European reference platform for cybersecurity education and professional development, providing a single access point to learning pathways and training opportunities, particularly for SMEs and public administrations.
The Politecnico di Milano participates in CYCERONE through the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, with a team coordinated by Prof. Stefano Zanero, and the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering.
Within CYCERONE, the Politecnico di Milano is involved in designing the structure of a Cybersecurity Academy and developing its educational programmes, with particular attention to integrating technological, organisational and managerial aspects.
The project is coordinated by 28Digital (the largest European open innovation ecosystem, formerly known as EITDigital), which leads the consortium of European partners involved.
Through CYCERONE, the Politecnico di Milano strengthens its commitment to supporting businesses and public institutions in improving awareness, preparedness and digital resilience, contributing to the development of a safer and more sustainable European digital ecosystem.