Press release following the final online press conference on project No. 101083793 – CYBER4All STAR – DIGITAL-2021-EDIH-01 of the European Commission and project No. BG16RFPR002-1.001-0003 under the program “Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation”
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Plovdiv – online
18 December 2025
The European Digital Innovation Hub “Trakia” presented the results of the “CYBERsecurity 4 All STAkeholdeRs” (Cyber4AllSTAR) project and outlined the next development program for the hub for the period 2026-2028. The project is funded by the European Commission’s Digital Europe program and the PNIIDIT 2021-2027, with the main goal of making cybersecurity practically applicable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public organizations through training, consulting, and testing of digital systems before investments.
Key results by December 2025
During the press conference, the hub team, including representatives of the Union for Economic Initiative, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Bulgarian Cybersecurity Association, Plovdiv Municipality, and other partners and associates, reported on the implementation of Cyber4AllSTAR’s key objectives, with support provided through test-before-invest services, training, ecosystem partnerships, and access to financing. Among the reported results are:
- Over 80 SMEs and over 20 public organizations have used at least one test-before-invest service
- Over 210 training sessions with over 1,000 participants trained
- Over 30 one-day and two-day information and consulting events on “access to finance” and “ecosystem connectivity” with over 3,000 participants
- Mobilized investments for digital transformation, exceeding many times over the grant funding received under the project and distributed to the final beneficiaries in the form of access to services.
- An established ecosystem of over 120 innovative technology providers, ecosystem facilitators, and active European connectivity through collaborations in the European Commission’s EDIH network.
Key technological and organizational components were presented and upgraded as sustainable assets remaining after the project: a one-stop-shop application for services, tools to counter ransomware, and practical training and testing infrastructure (including a cyber range and lab environments) that enable a repeatable model of working with organizations in the South Central Region, Bulgaria, and the region.
Highlights from the discussion – investment in people and readiness for new regulatory requirements
During the press conference, it was emphasized that the hub’s impact goes beyond its immediate work with businesses and administrations and includes systematic efforts in education and staff development.
“Over the past three years, we have covered a much broader field beyond our work with businesses and public institutions, which are, of course, the focus of our efforts. For example, we have been actively working with universities and students across the country because investing in students ultimately benefits small and medium-sized enterprises, municipalities, and central administrations, which they supply with personnel. That is why we will continue to invest there in the future—in the creation of student cybersecurity clubs, university CERT centers, and more.
Assoc. Prof. Velizar Shalamanov, part of the IICT BAS team within the framework of EDIH “Trakia”.
Another key focus was the growing pressure on companies to comply with the European regulatory framework, including in the context of AI implementation and cyber risk management.
The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, the Network and Information Security Directive 2, along with many other regulatory documents, are giving rise to increasingly stringent compliance requirements at national and international level, which are part of the agenda of companies in the Artificial Intelligence cluster and every other industrial cluster in the country. It is gratifying that the Trakia Digital Innovation Hub will be able to assist Bulgarian companies in this direction by providing free access to compliance consulting services, which are essential for our international competitiveness and Bulgarian businesses’ access to global value chains.”
Kristina Eskenazi, Co-Chair of the Artificial Intelligence Cluster – Bulgaria.
Period 2026–2028 – what lies ahead (Cyber4All 2.0)
The hub presented the next phase of development – Cyber4All 2.0 (2026 – 2028), which builds on the established infrastructure and accumulated experience and focuses on scalable services with measurable impact for the region and cross-border expansion through partner networks. The following are planned for this period:
- Support for at least 100 organizations (SMEs and public), with the aim of reaching thousands of users through digital channels and standardized customer journeys
- Over 500 high-value, market-oriented deliveries of 20+ modular services, in line with Hub’s portfolio
- 300+ trained professionals through 160+ training courses (academies, masterclasses, workshops) with an expanded focus on AI and digital compliance
- Mobilizing over €3 million in investments through structured services for access to finance and investor matching
- Integration of at least 10 disruptive innovators/startups into the cybersecurity value chain through piloting and cross-border formats
New additions to the portfolio for 2026-2028 include sector-specific toolkits and incident response simulations (including ransomware), supply chain threat modeling for vulnerable industries (healthcare, manufacturing, municipalities), as well as a practical “regulatory readiness” service—from pre-audit diagnostics to AI compliance checks and built-in risk assessments in line with applicable European requirements. Deeper integration into the pan-European EDIH ecosystem and related initiatives is also planned, including the exchange of use cases and tools through European platforms.
Additional quotes from participants in the press conference:
„Cyber4AllSTAR has demonstrated that when you combine diagnostics, real-world testing, training, and an ecosystem, cybersecurity becomes a manageable process rather than an abstract topic. In 2026-2028, we will move on to scaling up—more organizations, more standardized services, and a stronger focus on the secure implementation of AI and the regulatory readiness of Bulgarian companies. .“
Dr. Hristian Daskalov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DIH Trakia.
„For us as a professional community, the key result is that a working bridge has been built between expertise and practice—from good frameworks and training to specific technical checks and recommendations. In the next period, we expect even stronger work on sectoral models, more sustainable supply chains, and staff training, including through university partnerships and local initiatives. .“
Kiril Grigorov, Vice-President of the Bulgarian Cybersecurity Association.
„In the coming years, companies will need to both digitize and prove that they are doing so securely and responsibly—especially when implementing AI. This requires practical test environments, clear evaluation models, and quick access to experts. Cyber4All 2.0 will provide just that—from AI readiness and cyber testing to a path to financing and implementation. .“
Anton Todorov, CEO of New-i.
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