Cybersecurity Market Development

Former Working Groups 2 and 4

In a strategic evolution, Working Group 2, focusing on Market Deployment, Investments, and International Collaboration, and Working Group 4, dedicated to Support for SMEs, Coordination with Countries and Regions, have been restructured into three distinct and potent work streams: Investments, SMEs To Market and Regional Approaches.

This realignment reflects our commitment to a streamlined, cohesive approach, fostering stronger member participation and ensuring a more effective membership framework.

The new work streams aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the European cybersecurity investment landscape, fostering innovation and strengthening the cybersecurity ecosystem across the continent.

INVESTMENTS

VISION

Catalyse growth and innovation in the European cybersecurity market by establishing the Invest4Cyber platform. This platform enables cybersecurity investors to collaborate, share insights, and engage with decision-makers, ultimately improving market knowledge among our members. Through these efforts, we aim to foster a thriving ecosystem that attracts investments, drives technological advancement, and enhances the overall cybersecurity landscape in Europe.

ONGOING WORK

Strategic Collaboration. We provide a platform – Invest4Cyber – for cybersecurity investors to engage in meaningful discussions about investments in the European cybersecurity market, share investment needs, and foster joint investments.
Market Insights. We provide valuable information and data on the European cybersecurity market to help investors make informed decisions via its Monthly Report on Cybersecurity Market and Quarterly Online Meetings on the market trends.
Facilitate Dialogue Among Market Stakeholders. We organise networking events and conferences – Cyber Investor Days and Cyber Solution Days, STARtup Award and CISO Choice Award – to facilitate in-person connections, allowing investors to meet potential partners, start-ups, and industry experts.
Decision-Maker Engagement. We’ve created and maintain a channel for investors to engage with key decision-makers in the cybersecurity industry, bolstering their influence and understanding. To promote policies and regulations that support investment and growth in the European cybersecurity market, ECSO has partnered with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and its Advisory Hub on the proposal to establish a European Cybersecurity Investment Platform.

benefits for working group members

Access to Investment Opportunities: Access a network of cybersecurity investment opportunities in the European market, helping you identify promising ventures and diversify your portfolio.
Networking: Connect with a diverse community of cybersecurity investors, start-ups, and industry experts, facilitating valuable partnerships and collaborations.
Exclusive offers & opportunities: Organise co-branded events with ECSO and get priority on sponsorship of high-level events organised by ECSO.
Visibility and Thought Leadership: Showcase expertise and establish thought leadership in the cybersecurity investment domain, elevating your status in the industry.
Influence and Dialogue: Engage in meaningful conversations with key decision-makers in the cybersecurity industry and contribute to the development of investor-friendly policies and regulations in the cybersecurity sector.
Collaborative Learning: Benefit from the collective wisdom of the Invest4Cyber community, gaining insights, best practices, and lessons from successful investors.

SMEs TO MARKET

VISION

Work to empower European cybersecurity vendors, particularly start-ups and SMEs, by addressing persistent market challenges and fostering internationalisation. Our mission revolves around creating a supportive platform where start-up founders can come together to discuss market and business development strategies, explore new overseas business opportunities, and collaborate to navigate the complex landscape of the cybersecurity market.

ONGOING WORK

Market Challenge Solutions. We work diligently to provide solutions to the market challenges faced by European cybersecurity vendors, especially start-ups and SMEs. We focus on tackling issues like market fragmentation and internationalisation challenges with strategic initiatives, such as the marketing label CYBERSECURITY MADE IN EUROPE and a new online platform for cybersecurity solutions, Cyberhive.
Strategic Discussions & Knowledge Sharing. Our platform serves as a forum where start-up founders can engage in insightful discussions about market and business development strategies. Members can share their experiences, exchange best practices, and seek guidance from peers and experts.
Business Opportunities. We organise networking events and conferences – such as the Cyber Investor Days and the Cyber Solution Days, STARtup Award and CISO Choice Award – helping vendors expand their reach and tap into international markets. Our network connects start-ups and SMEs with potential partners, customers, and investors abroad.

benefits for working group members

Networking: Connect with a diverse community of cybersecurity investors, start-ups, and industry experts, facilitating valuable partnerships and collaborations.
Knowledge Sharing: Connect, discuss, and learn from other founders to fine-tune your market and business development strategies.
Collaborative Initiatives: Collaborate on initiatives that drive innovation and address common market challenges, leading to shared growth and success.
Visibility and Thought Leadership: Showcase expertise and establish thought leadership in the cybersecurity investment domain, elevating your status in the industry.
Access to Investment and Business Opportunities: Access a network of cybersecurity investors and users of cybersecurity solutions.

REGIONAL APPROACHES

VISION

Contribute to the resilience of regional European ecosystems by contributing to the development of stronger, more mature cybersecurity markets, strengthening the cybersecurity posture and resilience or regional and local authorities , and the supporting digitalisation and the uptake of cybersecurity solutions among SMEs as users.

ONGOING WORK

ROC Initiative – gathering Regions Operational in Cybersecurity to promote best practices and knowledge sharing activities in cybersecurity within regional authorities, map existing regional responsibilities and needs, and fostering the communication between the regional, national, and European cybersecurity legislators and stakeholders.
Inter-regional Exchange and Ecosystem Promotion – stimulate regional ecosystem promotion and exchanges through dedicated workshops and meetings between regional authorities, matchmaking events such as the Cyber Investor Days, Cyber Solution Days and the ECSO Awards Finals.
Cyber EDIH Network – a community of cybersecurity EDIHs which aims to foster cross-border and intra-border collaboration among cybersecurity EDIHs to strengthen the cybersecurity readiness of local ecosystems and the entire European cybersecurity posture.
SMEs as users – contributing to the digitalization and raising of awareness on cybersecurity challenges among European SMEs, providing concrete tools to increase their cybersecurity posture and overall resilience.

benefits for working group members

Engage with other regional authorities to pool knowledge and expertise on cybersecurity services provided to your regional ecosystem, share best practices on regional cybersecurity governance, and interact with European legislators and stakeholders (ROC Initiative).
Collaborate with ECSO and its Community to help start-ups and SMEs, as well as investors, within your regional ecosystem, to foster market growth and resilience.
Help lead European digitalisation through the raising of cybersecurity awareness and posture by cooperating with European EDIHs and regions and engaging SMEs as users in cybersecurity.
Shape the definition of ECSO priorities, deliverables, and policy recommendations on Regional Approaches.
Network with other regional, local and national authorities, as well as associations, clusters and EDIHs.
Chair WG topics, task forces, and communities, and drive the work and strategy for the WG outputs.
Organise co-branded events with ECSO and get first priority on sponsorship of high-level events organised by ECSO.