NCC-NL: The first point of contact for cybersecurity innovation

From 1 September 2025, NCC-NL will serve as the primary point of contact for organisations seeking to engage in cybersecurity innovation. This central role will help streamline processes, providing companies and organisations with easier access to relevant knowledge, funding opportunities and collaboration partners. NCC-NL will support organisations in applying for national and European funding, forming consortia and expanding their networks – both within the Netherlands and across Europe. NCC-NL will also take on the implementation of the Cybersecurity Human Capital Agenda (part of the broader Human Capital Agenda ICT), to increase the number of qualified cybersecurity professionals. Furthermore, NCC-NL will coordinate the development and alignment of funding instruments to ensure that appropriate financial support is available at each stage of the innovation process – from initial idea to scale-up.

Strengthening the Dutch cybersecurity sector

The cybersecurity landscape is developing rapidly. Increasingly sophisticated cyber threats are putting the digital security of the Netherlands and Europe under growing pressure. To stay ahead, new technologies and smart solutions are essential. It is therefore vital that businesses, knowledge institutions and public organisations have access to the right resources and expertise to remain at the forefront of this critical domain. This restructuring supports the objectives of both the National Technology Strategy – Cybersecurity Technologies (NTS-CST) and the Dutch Cybersecurity Strategy (NLCS). In collaboration with a wide range of partners, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is working to build a future-proof foundation for cybersecurity knowledge development and innovation in the Netherlands.

Next steps

dcypher’s activities will be gradually transferred to NCC-NL and new collaborative frameworks will be established. The full transition will be completed by 1 September 2025. Until then, existing support services will remain in place to ensure continuity. In addition, the Action Agenda for Cybersecurity Technologies will be further developed in the coming period, outlining how the ambitions of the NTS-CST will be realised. The Action Agenda is being developed under the leadership of Top Sector ICT, under the umbrella of KIA Digitalisation, in collaboration with public and private partners. It is expected to be published in September.