Elias Neocleous & Co LLC will participate in the SECUR-EU Project Consortium, an ambitious effort dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity defences for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and critical infrastructures across Europe. The SECUR-EU project is set to address the escalating cyber threats faced by these entities through a multifaceted approach focusing on the enhancement of Open-Source (OS) security measures, innovation in white-hat testing methodologies, and the development of robust, enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions.

Project Objectives

The SECUR-EU initiative aims to:

• Enhance the security of Open-Source software for SMEs, thereby fortifying their defence against cyber threats.
• Innovate in the field of ethical hacking through the introduction of the HackOlympics, a platform designed to advance white-hat testing practices.
• Develop comprehensive, enterprise-level security solutions tailored to meet the needs of both SMEs and critical infrastructure entities.

A cornerstone of the SECUR-EU project is the establishment of a holistic threat intelligence framework. This framework is anticipated to incorporate:

• AI-driven mechanisms for the detection of cyber-attacks.
• Advanced penetration testing techniques.
• Integrated Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) for a cohesive security posture.
• A decentralized system for the exchange of threat information.
• AI-enhanced tools for the prediction and analysis of cyber threats.

Furthermore, the project will introduce a user-centric dashboard, enabling effective interaction with stakeholders and promoting a culture of proactive cybersecurity measures.

Our Tech Law department is committed to delivering on several key responsibilities, as follows:

• Overseeing adherence to the Cybersecurity Act by monitoring the mandate for adoption and compliance with the cybersecurity framework.
• Highlighting the critical importance of the human element in cybersecurity, aiming to establish a bridge (“trait d’union”) that fosters collaboration among multidisciplinary experts in technology, ethics, security, and legal matters. This effort will ensure that all activities under SECUR-EU are conducted in alignment with core ethical principles (including, but not limited to, considerations of gender) and are compliant with the current and evolving regulatory landscape of the EU.
• Guaranteeing that the technologies targeted by SECUR-EU meet EU-wide standards for legality, ethics, and privacy, with a particular emphasis on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, Regulation (EU) 2016/679). This entails overseeing the project’s legal, ethical, and security endeavours to ensure all evaluations are conducted in accordance with national and European guidelines.
• Identifying and reporting any potential legal, privacy, and ethical issues. Additionally, contributing to the dissemination of information through high-impact communication efforts and participation in outreach events.
• Aiding in the development of policy recommendations that address ethical and legal issues, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the diverse aspects vital for the project’s success.