This announcement is intended for anyone whose work involves improving the cyber defences of critical supply chains and systems, or who has a solution that they want to develop further by applying it in the domains of Energy, Health & Healthcare or Horticulture & Starting Materials. A new TKI Call for Proposals has gone out for opportunities in these fields. Submit your proposal before the end of October 2024 to be eligible for funding.
Supply chain vulnerabilities
Supply chains and the means of controlling them becoming increasingly digitalised, drawing on more and more IT services and products. They are no longer straightforward supply chains, but instead have become complex ecosystems. This makes it difficult to properly understand how a supply chain is composed and how it functions. For example, it might be unclear who is behind a supplier that stores data or provides software for a portal for managing assets.
At the same time, parties within supply chains are becoming more interdependent, with interfacing information systems or hardware or software from the same vendor. Essential services (e.g. energy supply) use digital and information technologies to monitor, simulate, predict and control systems or to support advisory and decision-making processes.
Data collection and exchange are growing explosively, and data-driven methods (for example machine learning algorithms) play a key part in analysing the data flows in order to decide on interventions (manual or automated). This is making those supply chains more dependent on third parties to deliver vital IT. If the systems or services that they offer fail, or do not function properly, this could cause disruptions, either as a result of targeted cyberattacks but also unintentionally, through human error or an error in software or updates. These increasingly complex digital supply chains, and the associated interdependencies between the constituent operators, pose a risk at the system level by jeopardising the security of supply of vital processes, healthcare, energy or food.
Increasing cyber defences in key sectors
The present TKI Call for Proposals is now officially open. It is concerned with improving the cyber defences of critical supply chains and systems within the domains of Energy, Health & Healthcare and Horticulture & Starting Materials. The call is part of the CS4NL programme run by the KIA Digitalisation, with each of the various Topsectors seek to improve cybersecurity-related expertise and innovation. This joint Call for Proposals is organised by the Topsectors ICT, Horticulture & Starting Materials, Energy and Life Sciences & Health under the PPP Innovation Scheme (PPP-I).
Society’s rapid digitalisation makes it vital to ensure cyber defences in order for Dutch society to be able to function safely and remain future-proof. The purpose of this call is to identify innovative solutions to prevent and minimise cyber incidents so that critical services and products remain secure and reliable.
Focus areas
This Call is intended specifically for projects to improve the cyber defences of critical supply chains and systems. It covers the following sectors of the economy:
Energy: Ensuring that critical infrastructures for elements such as energy production, transmission and distribution remain secure against cyber threats.
Healthcare: Improving the security of sensitive health-related information and making healthcare systems and devices secure against cyberattacks.
Horticulture & Starting Materials Protecting the complicated processes involved in producing and distributing horticultural products in the food chain.
In these critical sectors, cyber defences not only protect vital services, but also boost economic growth by helping to maintain a safe digital environment.
Important information
Provisional budget: Total of €2,500,000, with a minimum of €100,000 per project and a maximum of €500,000.
Call open: Open now
Closing date: end of October 2024
Project duration: maximum of 3 years (closing date: 31/12/2029)
Project scope
Projects should be focused on developing and implementing innovations that:
- Prevent cyber incidents
- Detect and minimise loss or damage from cyberattacks
- Simplify recovery processes
How to sign up
If you would like to take part in this Call for Proposals, click on the link below for detailed information and instructions on how to sign up. To discuss project ideas or find partners for your project, send an email to cyberweerbaarheid@tki-energie.nl.
Futher information and instructions for signing up
About CS4NL
Cybersecurity for the Netherlands (CS4NL) provides a substantial boost to Dutch cybersecurity expertise and innovation. In 2023, it granted over 20 million euros in subsidies. Together with its 17 partners, CS4NL pursues its vision of better safety for the Netherlands.