EDIH Spotlight: DiGiNN, Cyprus

In this EDIH Spotlight, Vassilios Tsakalos, the Director of Research and Technical Support at the Cyprus Institute (CyI) and Project Coordinator of DiGiNN, explains how the Hub supports organisations through digital maturity assessments, test-before-invest services, advanced digital skills development and access to funding - driving the responsible uptake of AI, cybersecurity and advanced digital technologies across Cyprus.

About the Spotlight series:

The EDIH Spotlight series showcases digital innovation hubs across Europe and the difference they make for SMEs and public organisations. In each edition, we introduce a hub, its mission and how it supports organisations on their digital and AI journeys.

About DiGiNN

DiGiNN supports organisations ranging from one-person businesses to SMEs and public organisations, acting as a one-stop shop for digital transformation. The Hub supports the adoption of digital technologies in a practical, business-driven manner, covering all core technological domains, including Artificial Intelligence, High Performance Computing, Cybersecurity, and advanced digital skills and technologies (IoT, VR/AR/XR, etc). Its integrated service offering combines digital skills development, test-before-invest activities, networking opportunities, and facilitated access to financing sources and investors. While DiGiNN places strong emphasis on assessing the gaps, needs, and priorities of each organisation, ensuring that its support is tailored to real operational challenges and strategic objectives, DiGiNN 2.0 aims to focus more on AI and cybersecurity.

DiGiNN aims to lower the barriers to technology adoption and accelerate the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises and the public sector by providing them an end-to-end experience in their digitisation journey. DiGiNN aspires to become the national enabling mechanism (a true one-stop shop) for Cypriot SMEs and Public Sector Organisations (PSOs) in addressing digital transformation challenges. Its mission is to support the broad uptake of digital skills and technologies across SMEs and PSOs, while empowering PSOs to act as catalysts in elevating the country’s productivity and overall competitiveness.

Its vision is to strengthen the country’s productivity and competitiveness in alignment with the priorities of the Digital Europe programme.

Interview with Vassilios Tsakalos, the Director of Research and Technical Support at the Cyprus Institute (CyI) and Project Coordinator of DiGiNN

Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role in the Hub?

 I am currently serving as the Director of Research and Technical Support at the Cyprus Institute (CyI) and the Project Coordinator of DiGiNN, the European Digital Innovation Hub of Cyprus. I am responsible for the overall coordination of DiGiNN, the Hub’s service portfolio and ensuring strong collaboration across the regional and the European innovation ecosystem. 

What is the main expertise or focus of your EDIH?

DiGiNN supports organisations ranging from one-person businesses to SMEs and public organisations, acting as a one-stop shop for digital transformation. The Hub supports the adoption of digital technologies in a practical, business-driven manner, covering all core technological domains, including Artificial Intelligence, High Performance Computing, Cybersecurity, and advanced digital skills and technologies (IoT, VR/AR/XR, etc). Its integrated service offering combines digital skills development, test-before-invest activities, networking opportunities, and facilitated access to financing sources and investors. While DiGiNN places strong emphasis on assessing the gaps, needs, and priorities of each organisation, ensuring that its support is tailored to real operational challenges and strategic objectives, DiGiNN 2.0 aims to focus more on AI and cybersecurity. 

What is your vision for digital transformation in your region or domain? DiGiNN aims to lower the barriers to technology adoption and accelerate the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises and the public sector by providing them an end-to-end experience in their digitisation journey. DiGiNN aspires to become the national enabling mechanism (a true one-stop shop) for Cypriot SMEs and Public Sector Organisations (PSOs) in addressing digital transformation challenges. Its mission is to support the broad uptake of digital skills and technologies across SMEs and PSOs, while empowering PSOs to act as catalysts in elevating the country’s productivity and overall competitiveness. Its vision is to strengthen the country’s productivity and competitiveness in alignment with the priorities of the Digital Europe programme. 

Could you share a recent success story where your Hub supported an SME or a public sector organisation? 

A recent success story involves an innovative SME operating in the field of genetic testing, with extensive experience in counselling and diagnostics. Due to the nature of its activities, the company processes highly sensitive data, including personal, medical, and insurance information. Despite this, the SME had never previously conducted a structured security assessment and lacked a comprehensive cybersecurity policy, exposing it to potential internal and external threats. Through DiGiNN’s test-before-invest service, the SME received comprehensive penetration testing, including both internal and external assessments. Five realistic attack scenarios were designed to simulate real-world cyber threats, such as external attackers attempting to gain unauthorised access, as well as insider threats under different access conditions. In addition, a web application security assessment was conducted based on the OWASP methodology. This allowed the SME to clearly understand its security posture, identify vulnerabilities, and assess the resilience of its systems. The assessment identified several critical vulnerabilities, including outdated and unpatched systems leading to remote code execution risks, improper permission management, and exposure of network management interfaces. Based on these findings, DiGiNN provided targeted recommendations, including the implementation of patch management procedures, removal of unsupported systems, strengthening of access controls, and minimisation of unnecessary network services. As a direct result of the service, the SME was motivated to invest its own private funds to upgrade its cybersecurity infrastructure. The intervention is expected to lead to an immediate reduction of critical vulnerabilities by approximately 60%, increasing to 80% once the recommended measures are fully implemented. Beyond economic benefits, the action has a strong social impact. By significantly strengthening the protection of sensitive medical data, the SME enhances public trust in the secure handling of healthcare information, aligns with regulatory and societal expectations, and reinforces its long-term competitiveness and resilience. This case clearly demonstrates how DiGiNN supports SMEs in identifying risks, making informed investment decisions, and achieving tangible improvements in cybersecurity maturity. 

What do you see as the biggest impact your Hub has had so far in the local or regional ecosystem? 

The biggest impact of DiGiNN has been its role as a trusted enabler of digital transformation across the local ecosystem, particularly for SMEs and public sector organisations. DiGiNN has significantly lowered the barriers to digital adoption by combining upskilling in digital transformation with hands-on test-before-invest services, allowing organisations to build internal capabilities while de-risking technology decisions. Through targeted training, mentoring, and awareness activities, the Hub has helped organisations develop the digital skills needed to understand, adopt, and effectively use advanced technologies. In parallel, the test-before-invest approach has enabled them to validate solutions in real operational environments before committing resources, often triggering follow-up private investments in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and advanced digital technologies. A particularly strong impact has been observed in DiGiNN’s work with organisations that wish to adopt AI tools but lack sufficient data readiness. Many SMEs and public bodies face challenges related to data quality, availability, governance, and integration, which can hinder effective AI deployment. DiGiNN has supported these organisations by helping them assess their data maturity, understand prerequisite data requirements, and take practical steps toward data preparation and management, ensuring that AI solutions are adopted in a realistic, responsible, and value-driven manner. Overall, DiGiNN has contributed to raising digital maturity, improving competitiveness, and building trust in digital solutions at regional level, positioning both SMEs and public sector organisations to play a more active role in the country’s digital and economic transformation.

What are the key digital challenges facing organisations in your region or sector today? 

Organisations commonly face challenges related to limited digital skills, unclear return on investment, data readiness, cybersecurity concerns, and access to specialised expertise. These challenges are further compounded by the unavailability of resource, particularly in micro and small SMEs, and generally low levels of digital maturity, which limit their ability to plan, adopt, and scale digital transformation initiatives effectively. 

How does your Hub help companies overcome these challenges? 

Challenges are addressed through a structured, step-by-step support model. Firstly, our clients go through the digital maturity assessment and then discuss with DiGiNN’s Account Managers to understand each client’s business and operational challenges to design services and upskilling sessions tailored to the client’s needs and priorities. We then develop the Digital Transformation Roadmap that outlines the suggested services that will be implemented via DiGiNN. We also support organisations in identifying funding opportunities and building partnerships via networking and matchmaking events. Further to these, DiGiNN delivers sector-specific services and activities that respond to the different needs, constraints, and digital maturity levels of each sector, recognising that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to digital transformation. 

What is the most common obstacle that SMEs or public bodies raise when working with you, and how do you help them address it? 

Their most common obstacle is uncertainty about what they really need, where to start and how to prioritise digital investments. DiGiNN helps them clarify their needs via the Digital Maturity Assessment and follow-up consultation sessions, setting realistic and actionable roadmaps and demonstrating added value through test-before-invest services. This reduces risks, increases awareness and builds internal confidence, enabling better and more informed decision-making. In certain cases, DiGiNN acts as a clear entry point for organisations that are unsure how to begin their digital transformation journey. In addition, many organisations express strong interest in adopting AI tools but lack the necessary data quality, governance, and integration needed to deploy AI solutions effectively. DiGiNN supports these organisations by assessing data readiness, strengthening data management and governance practices, and providing targeted upskilling and test-before-invest opportunities that enable safe, realistic, and value-driven AI adoption. 

How do you collaborate with other EDIHs, universities, clusters or ecosystem partners? 

Collaboration is a core pillar of DiGiNN’s approach. The Hub has formalised its collaboration with approximately 20 EDIHs through Memoranda of Understanding, enabling structured knowledge exchange and joint activities. Building on this network, DiGiNN is planning joint capacity-building and networking events with other EDIHs, as well as staff exchange visits, fostering mutual learning and best practice sharing. At national level, DiGiNN works closely with key ecosystem actors, including the Cyprus Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and the Digital Security Authority through the organisation of joint events tailored to the needs of SMEs. Through networking activities, the Hub actively facilitates collaboration between academia and businesses and enables direct engagement with investors. as well as connections between SMEs and startups. 

What trends in digital innovation do you believe will shape your region or the sectors you work with in the coming years? 

Key trends include the increased adoption of AI and data-driven decision-making, as well as the increased need for cybersecurity and the rise of automation and smart systems. Another key trend is the acceleration of the green transition and the integration of digital solutions to support sustainability and energy efficiency. 

How is your Hub preparing for the future digital landscape? 

As the Hub is preparing for the launch of DiGiNN 2.0 in September 2026, we are further strengthening our capacity in key forward-looking domains, particularly AI and cybersecurity. The DiGiNN consortium will remain stable in the next phase, ensuring continuity and accumulated expertise, while being strategically reinforced with the addition of the Digital Security Authority and the European Office of Cyprus. These additions will enhance the Hub’s ability to support organisations in addressing advanced cybersecurity challenges, as well as in accessing funding opportunities, investors and new European partners for consortium building. Additionally, DiGiNN is further strengthening its advanced digital infrastructure, particularly in High-Performance Computing and AI. Through a combination of national funding, EDIH support, and strategic partnerships, a significant upgrade of the Cyprus Institute HPC Facility is underway, enhancing its capacity to support AI-driven research and innovation. Once operational, this open-access infrastructure will serve as the national AI backbone, complementing access to EuroHPC systems and enabling knowledge transfer, skills development, and practical AI adoption across SMEs, public sector organisations, and the research community. Through these evolutions, DiGiNN is positioning itself to respond proactively to emerging digital needs and the rapidly evolving innovation landscape. 

What is your top advice for organisations beginning their digital transformation or exploring advanced technologies? 

Digital transformation is most successful when it is strategic, incremental and people-centred. Start with a clear identification of your needs and priorities, rather than choosing the digital technology first and invest in continuous learning. In parallel, they should actively seek out and leverage available support initiatives, at EU or national level, or through industry associations (CCCI, OEB) which can provide guidance, funding opportunities, and access to expertise, helping to reduce risk and accelerate their transformation journey. 

What should companies look out for when adopting new technologies responsibly and sustainably? 

Companies should ensure new technologies are trustworthy, secure and aligned with operational needs and organisational values, but also with their broader long-term goals This means carefully evaluating technologies for data privacy, environmental impact and ethical considerations, while also making sure they fit seamlessly into existing workflows and contribute positively to sustainability objectives. Responsible adoption involves ongoing monitoring, employee training, and readiness to adapt as technologies and regulatory landscapes evolve.