CyberHubs: Building Europe’s Cybersecurity Skills Ecosystem
In response to the growing shortage of cybersecurity professionals across Europe, Solvay Lifelong Learning (SLL) is proud to be a member of the CyberHubs project. This ambitious initiative, launched in June 2024, aims to develop a collaborative European network of cybersecurity skills incubators that will help bridge the skills gap and support the development of a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce.
CyberHubs is a three-year project designed to strengthen the cybersecurity professional skills ecosystem across Europe. Led by DIGITALEUROPE and funded by the Erasmus+ programme, the initiative brings together a consortium of 21 full partners from 11 EU Member States and three associated partners. Over the next three years, CyberHubs will establish seven Cybersecurity Skills Hubs in Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Spain.
Digital4Security: Pioneering Europe’s Cybersecurity Educatio
In a landmark move for cybersecurity education in Europe, Professor Georges Ataya, Academic Director at Solvay Lifelong Learning and founder of the Executive Master in Cybersecurity Management, proudly announces Solvay’s involvement in the Digital4Security programme—a groundbreaking new European initiative funded by the European Union.
Launched in October 2023, Digital4Security is a €20 million EU-funded project awarded under the DIGITAL Europe programme. Its mission? To equip Europe’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with critical knowledge in cybersecurity management, regulatory compliance, and technical skills.
This initiative is supported by a consortium of 35 partners across 14 EU countries, reflecting the widespread commitment to strengthening Europe's defences against emerging cybersecurity threats. Digital4Security aims to safeguard economic prosperity and foster long-term competitiveness by continuously evolving to counter new risks.
Graduates of the programme will benefit from both academic accreditation and industry certification, arming them with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to enhance cybersecurity infrastructures and manage incidents effectively. These graduates will fill high-demand roles identified in ENISA's European Cybersecurity Skills Framework (ECSF), a vital component in supporting Europe’s business community.
COcyber: Bridging Civilian and Defence Cybersecurity in Euro
As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, the COcyber project, launched in August 2024, seeks to enhance collaboration between civilian and defence spheres to build a stronger, unified front against cyber risks. With five distinguished partners, including the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, this multidisciplinary team is leading a two-year project that focuses on coordination, knowledge exchange, and innovation in cybersecurity.
Professor Georges Ataya, from Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, directs a series of deliverables in collaboration with a team of five researchers, all contributing to the development of a strategic framework for structured knowledge transfer between these two critical sectors.
previous research invomvements
COBIT 4 and COBIT 5
Direct involvement in the development of the IT Governance framework COBIT 4 (in 2004) and COBIT 5 (in 2012) supporting Erik Guldentops and John W. Lainhard .
Active involvement in the development of The Value Governance of IT Enabled investment supporting John Thorp, the VALIT project, in 2008.
CISM and CGEIT
Managed the development of the CGEIT body of knwoledge along with Sushil Chatterjee. CGEIT is a major certification in Enterprise IT Governance.
Participated in the development of the first CISM body of knowledge in 2002. The Certificate in Information Security Manager is widely accepted credential for Cybersecurity leaders.
SECLOUD
Directed the Solvay Business School part of the SCLOUD project supported by INNOVIRIS, along with Nicolas Ameye, researcher.