The Digital Security Authority (DSA) operates as an independent government agency, established in April 2018 under the Commissioner for Communications. It holds significant roles in the field of cybersecurity both locally and nationally.

On 21 December 2021, by decision of the Council of Ministers, the DSA was designated as the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCC-CY) in the Republic of Cyprus. 

Specifically, the NCC-CY was created under the European Regulation (EU) 2021/887 and takes on a vital role in actively contributing through its actions to improving and maintaining cybersecurity resilience in the Republic of Cyprus. It also actively contributes to achieving the goals of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), which consists of the National Coordination Centres (NCCs) of EU member states and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

The NCC-CY is one of the first National Cybersecurity Coordination Centres in Europe to successfully initiate and implement multidimensional actions to strengthen cybersecurity. Some of these actions include the development and staffing of the NCC-CY team, the creation of the cybersecurity community, the validation of its ability to manage European funds for providing financial programs in the Republic of Cyprus, securing European funding, organizing and promoting awareness and training actions, and offering grant schemes to third parties.

In particular, during its first two years of operation, the NCC-CY announced the first pilot grant scheme to strengthen SMEs in collaboration with the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), with a total budget of 1 million euros, aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity levels of small and medium-sized businesses in Cyprus.

The NCC-CY began its operations in January 2023 through the European N4CY project, co-financed by the Digital Europe Programme and the Republic of Cyprus.

Building on the achievements of the first phase, the NCC-CY has taken another significant step with the successful proposal for the European N4CY2 project, again under the Digital Europe Programme, which will further enhance its development over the next four years, with a total budget of 7,676,690 EUR.

With the successful completion of the initial phases of the program, the prospects are particularly promising as the NCC-CY continues to attract interest and collaborations both at the national and international levels. The new N4CY2 project is a continuation of the initial phase of the European-funded N4CY program, aiming to further develop a strong cybersecurity ecosystem in Cyprus, provide grant schemes, raise awareness, and generally promote the development of the sector at both national and pan-European levels.

The success of the N4CY2 project has now been formalized with the signing of the Grant Agreement, and the project will start on January 1, 2025.

As the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre of Cyprus, the DSA emerges as a strategic leader and plays a critical role in coordinating and providing expertise to address cyberattacks through its multifaceted actions.

For more information about the role and actions of NCC-CY, visit ncc.cy

National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre – NCC-CY