The contract, delivered in partnership with Atos under the ‘ELCA4EU’ consortium, is structured around the six phases of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Its objective is to help European entities safeguard their infrastructures with a suite of operational cybersecurity measures designed to counter increasingly sophisticated threats.

 

The award comes against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and growing cyber risks. Leonardo’s Global CyberSec Center has recorded a 36 percent increase in cyber incidents across Europe in the past 12 months, underlining the urgency of enhanced digital protection. Cybersecurity is now viewed as a pillar of global security, standing alongside traditional defence to protect critical infrastructures and ensure the sovereignty and stability of the Union.

 

EU institutions and agencies remain prime targets due to the sensitive and strategic data they manage. A successful attack would not only compromise information but could trigger wider political instability, with cascading effects across Member States. By reinforcing the protection of these organisations, the FREIA contract supports the EU’s Digital Compass 2030 and contributes to Europe’s goal of digital autonomy.

 

The issue is being highlighted at the ‘Cyber for EU: Stronger Together’ event in Brussels on 30 September, co-organised by Leonardo. The gathering brings together cybersecurity stakeholders from across EU institutions to discuss strategies for resilience.

 

At the core of Leonardo’s approach is its Global CyberSec Center (GCC) platform, built on Zero Trust principles and enhanced with multi-agent AI. This platform delivers integrated products, services, and solutions that align with NIST’s six-phase model, ensuring Europe is equipped to meet the cyber challenges of the future.