Initiatives for
As the national authority for Cybersecurity the CCB has developed several initiatives for specific publics which are presented here.
The SECURE project
The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium is helping SMEs to enhance their cybersecurity
capacities and successfully prepare for the new requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
About the SECURE project
At the beginning of 2025, the CCB joined the EU-funded SECURE project, an initiative funded under the Digital Europe Programme aiming to help SMEs across Europe improve their cybersecurity maturity and comply with the requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act.
SECURE brings together national cybersecurity authorities, innovation hubs and experts to provide SMEs with practical tools, guidance, training and financial support. By promoting a security-by-design approach, the project helps companies better protect their digital products, services and supply chains through:
- Access to cascade funding through open calls
- CRA compliance resources and online platform for capacity building
- Training and upskilling to help achieve CRA compliance
- Stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing and access to practical use cases for CRA compliance
- Support for CRA standardisation efforts
Financial support: Cascade funding
To support SMEs in strengthening their cybersecurity approach, the SECURE project provides cascade funding through open calls. This funding enables SMEs to implement concrete cybersecurity measures and take practical steps towards compliance with the CRA, including activities such as risk assessments, security improvements, compliance preparation and capacity building.
Funding is granted through a transparent application process and is designed to be accessible to SMEs with limited cybersecurity resources. SMEs must submit their project proposal via the SECURE application platform, where the call guidelines clearly describe eligibility criteria, funding conditions, evaluation procedures and application steps.
In total, €16.5 million is made available under the SECURE project. SMEs can apply for grants of up to €30,000 per project, with a co-financing rate of 50%. The first open call will open on January 28th 2026, with further details published on the SECURE platform.
Image
Why a Belgian SME should apply
Belgian SMEs are key drivers of innovation and economic growth, yet they increasingly depend on digital products and embedded software, making cybersecurity a strategic priority for business continuity and competitiveness. The CRA introduces minimum cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements across the EU, ensuring these products are designed securely, maintained responsibly and meet common standards on the European market. For many SMEs, preparing for the CRA early will reduce legal and operational risk, strengthen trust with customers and partners and support sustained access to the broader EU market.
Through SECURE, Belgian SMEs can access tailored funding to build cybersecurity capacity, take concrete steps toward CRA compliance and make their digital offerings more resilient and competitive in a rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape.
Capacity building: Tools and guidelines
SECURE also provides SMEs with access to a growing set of tools, guidelines and reference materials designed to support compliance with the CRA and improve cybersecurity practices. These resources translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance, ensuring every SME can benefit from expert-backed guidance, regardless of their stage in the compliance journey.
Within the project, the CCB plays a key role in capacity building, having already published three practical guidelines to assist SMEs in understanding and implementing CRA requirements (see below). In the future, the CCB intends to provide other CRA-related support to further build cybersecurity capacity. Stay tuned for more!
Image
CRA101: Understanding CRA Obligations
This beginner-friendly guideline is crucial for the understanding of mSMEs and especially for those with, as of yet, limited knowledge on the CRA and/or difficulties in navigating the legal environment of the CRA. It provides a simplified overview of five key categories of CRA obligations, including risk assessment, vulnerability handling, user information, reporting duties and conformity assessment.
Image
The CRA’s Essential Cybersecurity Requirements Annex I, Part I
This technical guideline focuses on the essential cybersecurity requirements of Annex I, Part I of the CRA. It translates the obligations of Annex I, Part I – points 1 and 2 into non-exhaustive and tentative practical suggestions to support compliance with the CRA, based on recognised best practices, common approaches, and existing standards in the cyber domain. The recommendations are indicative and subject to further guidance from the European Commission.
Image
CRA: Methodological Compliance Assessment Framework
This framework is intended for mSMEs in search of a practical step-by-step guide to evaluate and refine their overall CRA compliance. It evaluates key areas such as essential cybersecurity requirements, product classification, certification, technical documentation and conformity assessment procedures. The recommendations are indicative and subject to further guidance from the European Commission.
Partners
- ACN ACN
- Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium
- CYBER 4.0 CYBER 4.0
- INCIBE INCIBE
- Industrie 4.0 Industrie 4.0
- National Cybersecurity Competence Centre Luxembourg National Cybersecurity Competence Centre Luxembourg
- NASK NASK
- NCC-RO NCC-RO
EU Funding Statement: Funded by the European Union under GA No 101190325. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Image
ECCC disclaimer: The project is supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Center and its members.
Image
