CyberAgent

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In response to the European Green Deal’s call to build a sustainable, digital Europe, “CyberAgent” strengthens the backbone of the European economy – SMEs. As more than 90% of all companies are SMEs, they are extremely important, yet also vulnerable to cyber threats. CyberAgent’s mission is clear: to empower these companies by transforming their employees into “SME Cybersecurity Change Agents”. By integrating technical, analytical, and soft skills, CyberAgent not only addresses the skills gap but also develops a diverse and resilient digital workforce. As cyber challenges continue to grow, CyberAgent represents an important initiative that protects SMEs and helps build a future-ready European economy.

The CyberAgent project, funded under Erasmus+, promotes cooperation between higher education institutions, vocational training providers, and SMEs in order to share best practices in cybersecurity and increase employability, cyber resilience, and the cybersecurity culture within organisations.

Project Objective

The objective of the CyberAgent project is to create a platform that enables the target group to acquire sustainable cybersecurity and entrepreneurial knowledge and competences aimed at inspiring, empowering, up-skilling, re-skilling, and engaging SME employees who take on the role of Cybersecurity Change Agents, while also encouraging greater participation of women in the IT sector. The project will promote cooperation between HEIs, VET providers, and SMEs, acting as a platform for sharing best practices in cybersecurity and the labour market. In addition, it aims to increase the employability of target groups, help SMEs strengthen their cyber resilience, protect their reputation and competitiveness, and improve organisational cybersecurity maturity and culture.

Training Modules

The project will offer updated curricula and content for eight training modules covering technical, analytical, risk management, and organisational skills. These resources will be available on an online platform and may be used for blended learning.

MAIN BENEFICIARIES

We inspire, empower, and strengthen the competences of representatives of the project’s target groups to become Cybersecurity Change Agents while promoting gender diversity in the IT sector.

SME Cybersecurity – Skills Enhancement

Consortium partners will design and implement a training programme focused on strengthening in-house cybersecurity competences for European SMEs. Upon successful completion of the training, employees will receive micro-credentials and recognition through the ECVET, EQF, EQAVET, and ESCO frameworks.

Higher Education Teachers and Vocational Training Providers – Capacity Building for Educators

The project aims to develop better lecturers and trainers by expanding their academic training and educational offerings and attracting new students and clients. Higher education lecturers will create more relevant lifelong learning programmes and curricula that address the specific cybersecurity needs of future SME employees. Vocational training providers will receive capacity-building support, train-the-trainer programmes, and new tools to enhance SME employees’ competences and help them effectively address cybersecurity challenges.

Women – Increasing Women’s Participation in Cybersecurity

By leveraging partner networks, especially Women4Cyber, the project will empower women working in SMEs to become Cybersecurity Change Agents. This includes setting and monitoring minimum targets for women’s participation in training programmes.

Training Providers and the General Public – Knowledge Exchange Platform

CyberAgent will create a pan-European digital platform designed to disseminate knowledge to other training providers and the wider public while maximising the added value of the European Union. This platform will strengthen the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) by addressing the specific cybersecurity needs of SMEs and public sector organisations across Europe. In addition, it will contribute to the future European Digital Education Hub by acting both as a recipient of good practices and as a contributor to building the Community of Practice (CoP) within the hub.

CyberAgent work packages (WPs) include both continuous packages carried out throughout the entire three-year project – WP 1 (project management) and WP 6 (dissemination and exploitation) – as well as other packages implemented sequentially. WP 2 (CyberAgent approach and structure design) and WP 3 (CyberAgent learning resource development) are necessary before achieving the final outputs in WP 4 (CyberAgent Collaboration Digital Platform) and WP 5 (Boosting CyberAgent Upskilling at Local and Regional Level).

CyberAgent work packages cover:

WP 1 – Project Management

Management handbook (Lead by VU)
Project face-to-face meeting reports (Lead by VU)
Quality Assurance and Monitoring Plan (Lead by Olemisen)
6 reports for each WP – Confidential (Lead by VU)
Financial report – Confidential (Lead by VU)

WP 2 – CyberAgent Approach and Structure Design

This WP will work to create common ground for further development of WP 3,4 and 5. This includes getting the latest inputs since cybersecurity is a sector in rapid development.

CyberAgent Knowledge Committee Guidelines – Sensitive (Lead by Olemisen)
SME Cyber Security Change Agents training needs mapping report – EN, LT, PL, ES, NO, TR, FR, FI, RO (Lead by Olemisen)
SME Cyber Security Change Agents learning pathway structure – EN, LT, PL, ES, NO, TR, FR, FI, RO (Lead by VU)
SME Cyber Security Change Agents training implementation requirements plan – Sensitive (Lead by Olemisen)
CyberAgent collaboration platform requirements report – EN (Lead by Prios)

WP 3 – Cyber Security Change Agents Learning Resource Development

Based on the recommendations in WP 2, this WP will develop the concrete syllabus and content to meet the demands in HEI and VET curriculum. This includes to create the training material as well.

Training modules for HEI students – EN, LT, PL, ES, NO, TR, FR, FI, RO (Lead by VU)
Training modules for VET students - EN, LT, PL, ES, NO, TR, FR, FI, RO (Lead by TeknoparkMTAL)
Training Materials Documents and Videos are available on the project platform (login required) – Sensitive (Lead by HackerU/ IT akademija)

One-page module descriptions:

WP 4 – CyberAgent Collaboration Digital Platform

The platform will serve as the connecting element enabling learning networks to operate on a shared foundation, as well as the access point for all learning activities. The platform will ensure that the concept is available in all partner languages.

Peer-reviewed and finalised UI/UX prototype (Lead by Prios)
Operational platform (Lead by Prios)
Platform fine-tuned and translated
Link to the platform

WP 5 – Boosting CyberAgent Upskilling at Local and Regional Level

In this WP the CyberAgent project will implement the developed concept and platform in eight pilots across eight countries. The final evaluation and project results will be prepared based on lessons learned.

Documented local and regional CyberAgent upskilling network – Sensitive (Lead by EVM)
Training bootcamp in Poland for trainers (Lead by HackerU). Programme. Presentations of the event.
CyberAgent upskilling Training Program Evaluation (Lead by Olemisen)
Teaching methodology for SME Cyber Security Change Agents (Lead by EVM)

WP 6 – Dissemination and Exploitation

In this WP the project will aim to implement the project concept on a broader scale and contribute to further policy development in lifelong learning and particularly in the field of cybersecurity.

Dissemination and communication strategy including progress reports: M12, M24 and M36 (Lead by Women4Cyber)
Stakeholder engagement plan including progress reports at M12, M24 and M36 – Sensitive (Lead by Women4Cyber)
Policy recommendations (Lead by Women4Cyber)

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Vilnius University

Vilnius University, with more than 430 years of academic heritage, is the oldest and largest higher education institution in Lithuania and is recognized among the top 400 universities worldwide in the QS ranking. The university’s mission is to create, accumulate and disseminate knowledge while fostering an authentic academic culture that combines long-standing traditions with innovative ideas. Its core values include freedom of thought, diversity of perspectives, openness to new ideas, respect, academic ethics and tolerance.

With twelve faculties, seven institutes and numerous academic units, including a historic library established in 1570, Vilnius University maintains a diverse academic environment. The university has around 21,000 students, including approximately 900 international students from more than 70 countries. Vilnius University offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral study programmes: more than 70 bachelor’s and 100 master’s programmes covering biomedical sciences, physical sciences, humanities, as well as social and technological sciences, taught in both Lithuanian and English. The academic staff consists of highly qualified lecturers and researchers with extensive research experience and international recognition in their fields. Vilnius University actively participates in national and international projects, collaborates with universities worldwide and has more than 130 bilateral cooperation agreements. VU is a member of prestigious international university networks and maintains strong relationships with leading research centres worldwide. Modern laboratories and the largest scientific library in the Baltic States provide excellent conditions for high-level research and studies in various fields, reinforcing the university’s commitment to knowledge dissemination and the development of responsible leaders and citizens.

Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty, located in another city, is interdisciplinary and offers study programmes in three academic fields: humanities, social sciences and physical sciences (informatics). VU KNF provides original study programmes “Information Systems and Cyber Security” and “Financial Technologies”, which correspond to labour market needs and provide both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. These programmes are particularly important for ensuring cybersecurity and promoting responsible use of digital media. The faculty also has a cybersecurity working group that contributes to preventive actions by preparing research and science popularisation publications. The cybersecurity group performs cyberattack simulations for organisations, allowing researchers to maintain close relationships not only with young people (students) but also with various types of organisations, receiving continuous feedback on cybersecurity issues and how people recognise disinformation.

Technological High School “Grigore C. Moisil”, Buzau

The Technological High School “Grigore C. Moisil” is located in the city of Buzău, approximately 100 km from Bucharest, the capital of Romania. The school was established in 1974 under the name Electro-Technical High School. It is a secondary education institution whose main objectives are to provide initial vocational education and training for young people aged 15–19. Students are taught by teachers specialised in technical fields and acquire qualifications according to the requirements of the local and European labour markets: media field – text/image processing operator technician (with intensive English); electrical field – electrical installations technician and electrotechnical technician; electronics and automation field – computer operator technician and telematics operator technician (with intensive English).

Among the most important projects implemented in the school are Erasmus+ projects, through which students undertake three-week practical training in European countries, international cooperation eTwinning projects, and the ROSE project, which included remedial classes and hot meals for socially disadvantaged students, as well as significant equipment purchases and school renovation works.

Women4Cyber Mari Kert – Saint Aubyn Foundation

The Women4Cyber Foundation, established as a non-profit organisation in 2019, aims to increase women’s participation in the cybersecurity field, reduce the skills gap and improve their employment opportunities. Our mission is to build a strong cybersecurity community through networking, awareness raising, education and training. We actively promote women’s voices through social media and events, increase their participation in cybersecurity education, highlight female role models and provide access to training programmes that support entering, upskilling or reskilling in cybersecurity. Through these initiatives we aim to remove barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable environment empowering women to succeed in this critically important industry.

EVM Group SL

EVM Group SL, headquartered in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands (Spain), is a consortium of companies with 15 years of experience in project development for various national and international clients. The company employs more than 70 specialists representing various fields including engineering, data science and social sciences; many team members hold doctoral degrees, reflecting a strong commitment to scientific excellence. In addition, our extensive network includes strategic collaborators and partners around the world. Within the broader European network context, Quimera focuses on monitoring funding programmes, disruptive initiatives and high-risk projects, facilitating access to funding opportunities for public and private organisations at European, national and regional levels.

Our proven experience also includes successful cooperation with public administrations and companies in various sectors, including tourism, industry and logistics, for which we have developed corporate innovation programmes to promote growth and transformation.

In 2024, Ecosistemas Virtuales Y Modulares SL officially changed its name to EVM GROUP SL.

Prios Kompetanse AS

Prios Kompetanse AS (Prios) is a research-based organisation aiming to implement the concept of lifelong learning and to support and conduct development projects.

The centre is open to everyone who wants to develop their talents, refresh their knowledge, improve business processes, obtain new or better digital tools, or has ideas that need support to be realised.

Main areas and activities:

Educational activities focused on adult learning and labour market services including basic skills training, vocational education and training (VET), entrepreneurship training and customised training programmes for businesses.

Software support for educational activities as well as development of new digital solutions based on needs and requests arising in different projects. For example, Prios developed and manages the Follow-Up® concept.

Consulting activities mainly for business clients in the areas of internal innovation processes, human resource management processes, economic consultancy and management improvement.

Teknopark Istanbul Mesleki Ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi (TeknoparkMTAL)

According to the cooperation protocol signed on 30 April 2020 between the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education and Technopark Istanbul, the “Technopark Istanbul Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School” was officially established to provide education in Information Technology Network Management and Cybersecurity within the Anatolian Technical Programme, following the approval of the Ministry of National Education’s Directorate General of Vocational and Technical Education on 15 May 2020.

Our mission is to educate entrepreneurial students with interdisciplinary competences who are committed to local values, follow global developments, develop software and hardware solutions for information security and understand the importance of data, often referred to as the “new oil”, while adhering to universal educational principles.

Our vision is to make the school a leader and example in information security education, operating at international standards in the field of information technologies within vocational and technical education, preparing qualified specialists for relevant institutions and organisations, especially for the defence industry, and strengthening our country’s presence in cyberspace whose boundaries are as wide as our imagination.

UAB IT Akademija

UAB “IT Akademija” joined the CyberAgent project as a new partner on July 16, 2025, replacing HackerU. Operating since 2014, IT Akademija is an IT training and consulting company aiming to strengthen digital competences for both individuals and organisations. The company’s expertise includes cybersecurity, programming, digital literacy and other related areas. With experience in both private and public sector projects, strong international partnerships and active membership in important business and technology associations, UAB “IT Akademija” has taken over HackerU’s responsibilities in the CyberAgent project and joined the project implementation activities.

The company’s expertise and network will play a significant role in achieving the CyberAgent project objectives, promoting innovation in cybersecurity and strengthening the network of cybersecurity professionals across Europe. Their contribution is expected to significantly strengthen the mission of the consortium.

ProxyLab ry (Olemisen Balanssia ry changed its name on 2025-08-26)

ProxyLab Balanssia ry is a technology-driven organisation established in 2014 in Raisio, Southwest Finland, conducting research and development studies in the fields of formal education, training and development of national and international networks while combining theoretical and methodological research with real-life field studies. ProxyLab contributes to strengthening educational intelligence and cybersecurity fundamentals through various projects.

Our goal is to be an independent, research-based non-profit organisation contributing to structural transformation in education for the development of individuals and society by creating shared understanding based on quality data, constructive dialogue and diverse opinions. The main focus is on identifying educational needs, with activities centred around data collection, structured research and constructive dialogue. Inspired by the Finnish education model, we prioritise social-emotional learning alongside advanced educational technologies, providing a strong foundation in science, mathematics and technology while developing transversal competences needed for collaboration and creative work with others.

Hackeru Polska Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia (partner withdrew from the project on 2025-07-15)

HackerU Poland was established in 1997 and operates in the field of cybersecurity and new technology workforce training. HackerU training programmes are developed based on the experience of the latest generation of cybersecurity specialists and adapted to current labour market requirements. In Poland, HackerU cooperates closely with the University of Warsaw.

CyberAgent

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IT AKADEMIJA