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On Wednesday 15 November 2023, the Luxembourg Directorate of Defence announced the launch of a Competence Hub in Research in Cybersecurity and Cyber Defence (CyberHub), in partnership with the University of Luxembourg.

The primary objective of the CyberHub is to enhance and bolster Luxembourg's capacity to address both domestic and global cybernetic challenges, particularly the escalating and intricate cyber threats.

Under the framework of the CyberHub, the University will actively contribute to the government's Cybersecurity Strategy IV and Cyber Defence Strategy by engaging in research, facilitating technology transfer and advancing educational initiatives. This collaborative effort will leverage the combined expertise of the University of Luxembourg's Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) and the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) across these three vital domains.

Within its research activities, the CyberHub will tap into SnT's expansive academic networks at the national, European and international levels. This strategic positioning aims to provide access to cutting-edge research opportunities. Subsequently, the research endeavours will support the technology transfer initiative, transforming innovative concepts into pragmatic, real-world solutions. This aspect will benefit from SnT's well-established Partnership Programme, fostering new collaborations with stakeholders both in Luxembourg and across the European Union.

"Having one of NATO and the EU's most cyber secure Defences, through maximisation of our cybersecurity and cyber defence capabilities, is the Luxembourg Government's long-term ambition in this critical domain. By joining forces with academia, we will strengthen and increase Luxembourg's capacity to meet national and international challenges such as cyber threats," declared Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence, François Bausch. "The CyberHub is another tool, joining the Chair in Cyber Policy launched in 2022, through which Luxembourg Defence will foster and support research, teaching and awareness-raising activities in cyber."

"With the CyberHub, we will be able to increase the national capabilities in this crucial area," said Professor Björn Ottersten, Director of SnT. "Cybersecurity and cyber defence are topics that impact many domains, and our interdisciplinary method ensures a holistic approach to our work in this area. By launching this CyberHub, we can expect to see benefits for many related activities in Luxembourg's public and private sectors."

"The CyberHub will magnify our efforts in the domain of cybersecurity and defence, and our work along the three pillars will create a talent pool of specialised researchers to support the national ecosystem," added Professor Pascal Bouvry, Dean of the FSTM. "We recently launched the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Cybersecurity and this latest initiative further expands our focus in this critical domain."

"The University of Luxembourg is proud to be supporting the government's national strategies through the launch of the CyberHub," said Professor Jens Kreisel, Rector of the University. "[…] We look forward to playing our part in the government's long-term cybersecurity and cyber defence strategy."