LR Krašto apsaugos ministerija

The National Coordination Center (NCC), whose tasks in Lithuania are carried out by the Ministry of National Defense, was established at the beginning of 2022.

Lithuanian NCC is one of the 27 national coordination centres of the EU, which, together with other organizations in Lithuania, contributes to strengthening the cyber security ecosystem. The network of national coordination centres, together with a new EU agency, the European Cybersecurity Industry, Technology and Research Competence Center (ECCC), aims to focus and more efficiently coordinate investments in research, technology and industrial development.

The Lithuanian NCC operates in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/887 adopted in May 2021, which aims to strengthen the EU’s leadership in the field of cyber security.

NCC’s mission

To strengthen national cyber security capabilities and increase the resilience of Lithuanian information infrastructure by providing professional support to members of the Lithuanian cyber security community and promoting the development of cyber security research and innovation.

NCC’s vision

To become a dynamic and competent organization coordinating the cyber security community of Lithuania, which through its abilities and innovations, would contribute to increasing Lithuania’s resistance to cyber threats.

NCC’s tasks

To act as the point of contact at the national level

acting as points of contact at the 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;
promoting and disseminating the relevant outcomes of the work of the Network, the Community and the Competence Centre at the national, regional or local levels;
assessing requests by entities established in the same Member State as the national coordination centre to become part of the Community;

To contribute to the implementation of the strategic tasks of the Competence Centre

seeking to establish synergies with relevant activities at the national, regional and local levels, such as national policies on research, development and innovation in the area of cybersecurity, in particular, those policies stated in the national cybersecurity strategies;
providing expertise and actively contributing to the strategic tasks set out in Article 5(2), taking into account relevant national and regional challenges for cybersecurity in different sectors;
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;
without prejudice to the competencies 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.

To coordinate projects and cybersecurity actions funded by relevant Union programmes

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 the national level in cross-border projects and 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, and in full compliance with the rules of sound financial management, especially with regard to conflicts of interest;
implementing specific actions for which grants have been awarded by the Competence Centre, including through the provision of financial support to third parties in accordance with Article 204 of the Financial Regulation under conditions specified in the grant agreements concerned.

European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre

The ECCC is the main EU institution managing financial support in the field of cyber security from the EU funding programs Horizon Europe (HEP) and Digital Europe Program (DIGITAL).

The ECCC, which is headquartered in Bucharest, Romania, is currently being set up, and the EU Commission is temporarily carrying out its functions. The ECCC’s structural unit – the Governing board- determines the strategic directions of the ECCC’s activities. In its activities, Lithuania is represented by the representatives of the Ministry of National Defense.

The ECCC, in cooperation with the network of National Coordination Centers, EU countries and the cybersecurity community, identifies and implements common strategic investment solutions that would improve the EU’s cybersecurity capabilities.

Working together with the national coordination centres, the ECCC will pay particular attention to strengthening the cyber security and business development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.

European Cybersecurity Community

ECCC aims to bring together a large, open, interdisciplinary and diverse cybersecurity community. This way, it is expected to be easier and more efficient for community members to cooperate with each other and share cybersecurity expertise and available capabilities. Representatives from industry, science, the public sector and other civil society associations operating in the field of cyber security are invited to become members of the community.

Lithuanian Cybersecurity Community

At the current stage, potential members of the Lithuanian cyber security community:

Members of the Cyber Security Council (in Lithuanian only)
Other representatives of industry, science, and public sector

In order for the NCC to fulfil its tasks, a consortium has been formed, which is made of partners who are representatives of the public sector

The Lithuanian NCC cooperates with the National Contact Point of the “Horizon Europe” programme.

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NCPs are experts in specific priority areas of the “European Horizon” programme working in each EU member state. The NCP provides guidance, practical information and support on all aspects of participation in the “Horizon Europe”.

Deividas Petrulevičius is the NCP in Lithuania for cluster 3, “Civil Public Safety”, related to all aspects of the cyber security programme.

The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)

The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) operate by a single window concept and help companies respond dynamically to digital challenges and become more competitive. By providing access to technical knowledge, EDIH helps companies improve business and production processes, products or services by using digital technologies.

The NCC will seek to cooperate with three EDIHs in Lithuania, contributing to the improvement of cyber security and digital literacy competencies:

EDIH4IAE.LT

Field of activity: to make the digital transformation of the industry, food and energy sectors more efficient, giving priority to (i) business and public entities operating in the region of western and central Lithuania and (ii) the implementation of key digital technologies (high-performance computers, artificial intelligence and cyber security).

DI4LithuanianID

Field of activity: manufacturing, public sector, healthcare and biotechnology, ICT and financial technology. Core Competencies: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cyber Security (CS) in Big Data, Automated BMS & WMS, Smart Sensors, Robotics, IoT/IoIT, Automation, VR/AR, Automated Reporting.

Sunrise Valley Digital Innovation Hub

Field of activity: focuses on three main areas of technological solutions: information and communication technologies; automation and robotics; and digital technology manufacturing processes (e.g. electronic systems and components.

Related information

EU cybersecurity funding programmes

Calls under the Digital Europe Cybersecurity Work Programme 2021-2022

15th of November 2022 – 15th February 2023

EU Cybersecurity Resilience, Coordination and Cybersecurity Ranges
Capacity Building of Security Operation Centres (SOC)
Securing 5G Strategic Digital Infrastructures and Technologies
Uptake of Innovative Cybersecurity Solutions
Supporting the NIS Directive Implementation And National Cybersecurity Strategies
Testing and Certification Capabilities

More information about the calls.

National Coordination Center