02 - NCC
2. NCC
In this section, you will learn key information about the NCC, including how it operates in the Czech Republic and how it fulfils its tasks under EU Regulation 2021/887. It also includes an overview of the NCC services, particularly in the area of information and methodological support, that the NCC provides to its stakeholders.
ABOUT NCC
The National Coordination Centre for Research and Development in the field of Cyber Security (NCC) is established on the basis of the Regulation (EU) 2021/887 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and the Network of National Coordination Centres. The Regulation aims to strengthen the leadership and strategic autonomy of the European Union (EU) in the field of cyber security by maintaining and developing research, academic, societal, technological and industrial capacities and capabilities. In addition, the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre (Competence Centre or ECCC, more information available here) and the Network of National Coordination Centres provide a tool to focus investments in cyber security research, technology and industrial development and to implement relevant projects and initiatives under the Horizon Europe Programme and the Digital Europe Programme.
The National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NCISA), which is the main point of contact for communication with the ECCC, coordinator of R&D cooperation at the national level and Czech representative to the ECCC Governing Board, was entrusted with the establishment of the NCC in the Czech Republic by a resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic. The NCISA cooperates with its partner CyberSecurity Hub (CSH), which brings together three leading Czech public universities (Masaryk University in Brno, Brno University of Technology, Czech Technical University in Prague) to carry out activities in the field of cyber security and other related technological areas in order to develop joint multidisciplinary scientific research, educational and other relevant activities. CSH is also coordinating a project whereby the European Commission has designated the CyberSecurity Innovation Hub as the only European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) operating in the Czech Republic in the field of cyber security, which assists SMEs and public organisations in successful digital transformation. The cooperation between the NCISA and CSH, which fulfils the role of the above-mentioned EDIH, on the establishment of the NCC ensures coherence, complementarity and avoidance of duplication of efforts, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/887.
The NCC in the Czech Republic is a member of the Network of National Coordination Centres, which brings together individual NCCs from other EU Member States. An up-to-date list of the NCCs that have been notified to the ECCC is available on the ECCC website.
NCC Tasks
The main tasks of the NCC are defined in Article 7 of the EU Regulation 2021/887. The NCC works with partners at national and European level to fulfil its tasks. The main tasks of the NCC include:
- acting as points of contact at national level for the Community to support the Competence Centre in fulfilling its mission and objectives, in particular in coordinating the Community through the coordination of Community members in their Member States;
- providing expertise and actively contributing to the ECCC strategic tasks, taking into account relevant national and regional challenges for cybersecurity in different sectors;
- promoting, encouraging and facilitating the participation of civil society, industry, in particular start-ups and SMEs, the academic and research communities and other stakeholders at national level in cross-border projects and in cybersecurity actions funded by relevant Union programmes;
- providing technical assistance to stakeholders by supporting them in the application phase for projects managed by the Competence Centre in relation to its mission and objectives;
- seeking to establish synergies with relevant activities at national, regional and local level, such as national policies on research, development and innovation in the area of cybersecurity, in particular those policies stated in the national cybersecurity strategies;
- implementing specific actions for which grants have been awarded by the Competence Centre, including through the provision of financial support to third parties;
- without prejudice to the competences of Member States for education and taking into account the relevant tasks of ENISA, engaging with national authorities regarding possible contributions to promoting and disseminating cybersecurity educational programmes;
- promoting and disseminating the relevant outcomes of the work of the Network, the Community and the Competence Centre at national, regional or local level;
- assessing requests by entities established in the same Member State as the national coordination centre to become part of the Community;
- advocating and promoting the involvement of relevant entities in the activities arising from the Competence Centre, the Network and the Community, and monitoring, as appropriate, the level of engagement with and the amount of public financial support awarded for cybersecurity research, developments and deployments.
NCC Services
In accordance with the above-mentioned tasks, the NCC-CZ provides information and methodological support to stakeholders and communicates information on:- news in the field of support of R&D activities in cyber security and relevant events in this area at national and European level;
- current activities of the NCC network, the ECCC and the Competence Community;
- current calls in relevant EU funding programmes in the field of cybersecurity (Digital Europe and Horizon Europe);
- opportunities for involvement in national and European projects (support for match-making activities, consortia formation, etc.);
- how to apply for projects in relevant EU programmes managed by the ECCC.
NCC Projects
NCC-CZ is currently acting as a coordinator for two projects that have received funding from the Digital Europe Programme (DEP). Below you will find basic information about both projects.- Duration: 1 November 2023 – 31 October 2025 (2 years)
- Objective: to ensure the establishment and functioning of the NCC in the Czech Republic and the fulfilment of the tasks arising from Regulation 2021/887
- FSTP: budget of EUR 150 000, no co-financing from a third party required
- Example of planned activities::
- activation of the national RD community, promotion of cooperation and involvement in projects.
- providing support towards the Community and the ECCC
- providing financial support to third parties (FSTP)
- awareness raising activities
- Duration:1 December 2023 - 30 November 2026 (3 years)
- Objective:to financially support entities in the field of cybersecurity certifications (building capabilities, improving cybersecurity of SMEs, promoting standardisation)
- FSTP: budget EUR 500 000, 50 % co-financing by a third party
- Example of planned activities::
- setting up a mechanism to provide financial support to third parties
- providing information and support on upcoming calls
- launching calls, selecting projects and providing financial support
- presentation of supported projects and outputs
