The European Commission launches two projects to enhance the digital security of SMEs and the healthcare sector.
The European Commission announces in a press release that it is setting aside a fund of 145.5 million for SMEs and the healthcare sector. This money will be used to increase digital security in Europe. Companies can apply for two projects.
A first call is part of the Digital Europe program and is allocated a budget of 55 million euros. The EU is directly releasing 30 million for digital security of hospitals and healthcare institutions. This budget should give medical organizations a boost to better arm themselves against ransomware and other cyber attacks.
The remaining 90 million euros is for the development of generative AI applications for cybersecurity, but also to stimulate post-quantum cryptography, among other things. The deadline for submitting applications for the first call is October 7 and for the second call November 12. Both calls for proposals are managed by the European Cybersecurity Competence Center.
Good, but Good Enough?
Security company Check Point responds with mixed feelings to the European Commission’s initiative in a statement to ITdaily. According to Check Point, it is a “necessary step”, but there is a “risk of too little impact without a targeted approach”.
Check Point emphasizes the need to better support hospitals and healthcare providers in their cybersecurity. The healthcare sector is currently the most targeted sector, with an average of 2652 attacks per week in Belgium alone, according to figures from the company. For comparison: an average Belgian organization is attacked 1235 times per week on average.
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Peter Sandkuijl, VP Engineering EMEA at Check Point, warns that the proposed budget of 145 million euros will only have an impact if it is deployed in a targeted and efficient manner, given the structural vulnerability of sectors such as healthcare. He advocates for investments in collaboration and innovation, with a clear focus on proven AI solutions such as GenAI, which can help address the shortage of cybersecurity talent. Only in this way can Europe strengthen its position and become more resilient against ever-increasing cyber threats.