CYSCOE - Cyber Security Cluster of Excellence

What CYSCOE - Cyber Security Cluster of Excellence does

CYSCOE – Cyber Security Cluster of Excellence is a Romanian non-profit association founded in 2022 and headquartered in Bucharest, operating as a triple-helix membership organization that unites public institutions, academic bodies, and private commercial companies under a coordinated national cybersecurity mandate. The cluster's core technical activity centers on Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI), adversary profiling, digital forensics, cyber incident investigation, disinformation analysis, and cyber range integration, rather than on a packaged software product. CYSCOE holds NIS auditor accreditation (number 8046) and claims a track record of more than 500 security audits performed in Romania and globally, generating audit, training, and consulting revenue alongside undisclosed annual membership fees.

CYSCOE generates revenue through three principal channels: annual membership fees with individualized pricing (invoiced after Governing Board approval), NIS/NIS2-aligned audit services, and participation in EU-funded project consortiums under the Digital Europe programme. It is a named beneficiary in the CYRESRANGE project (Cyber Ranges Resiliency Networks, €1.75M total project value, €1.10M non-reimbursable EU funding, six Romanian beneficiaries, September 2023 – August 2026) and a consortium partner in ECYBRIDGE (17 partners across 7 EU countries, coordinated by the Maritime University of Constanta). The cluster's go-to-market is relationship- and reputation-driven, leveraging participation in EU projects, conferences (Bucharest Cybersecurity Conference, DefCamp, BlackSea Maritime Cybersecurity Conference), a recurring webinar series, joint press work with law enforcement, and direct member onboarding through a structured 8-step application process.

The organization is led by President Alexandru Anghelus (also CEO of Prodefence) and operates with approximately 6 employees, supplemented by an extended network of CTI experts (Daniel Leu, Gabriel Puiu) and institutional partners. Beyond Romania, CYSCOE positions itself as a Black Sea and EU-wide coordination node, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre (January 2023), contributed to cybersecurity capacity work with Moldova's Ministry of Economic Development, and was accepted into the European Commission's Apply AI Alliance (November 2025).

Name

CYSCOE - Cyber Security Cluster of Excellence

Legal name

ASSOCIATION OF CLUSTER OF EXCELLENCE IN CYBERNETIC SECURITY

Website

https://cyscoe.ro

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CYSCOE is a Romanian non-profit triple-helix cybersecurity cluster, founded 2022, that brings together public institutions, academia, and private firms to deliver Cyber Threat Intelligence, NIS-accredited security audits, training, and EU-funded cyber range integration across Romania and the EU.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Business Services, Nec (7389)

akta.pro primary industry

Ethics, Integrity & Whistleblowing Program Advisory (BPAHAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fraud Risk Management & Anti-Bribery/Anti-Corruption (ABAC) (BPAHAFAL), Confidential AI & Privacy-Preserving ML (federated learning, MPC, HE, TEEs) (HDAAAKAI)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity auditing services
• Cyber threat intelligence
• Security capacity building
• NIS compliance auditing
• Cyber range integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Bucharest

HQ country

Romania

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: CYSCOE generates revenue through annual membership fees paid by accepted members. Prospective members pay a registration fee and annual dues upon acceptance, as described in the membership onboarding process (Step 7: sending the invoice for the registration fee and for the current year).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CYSCOE is a triple-helix Romanian cybersecurity cluster that brings together public, academic, and private commercial institutions. The organization delivers cybersecurity services including NIS-accredited security auditing (accreditation #8046), cyber threat intelligence (CTI) and adversary profiling, cybersecurity training and capacity-building programs, and a recurring webinar series. CYSCOE also participates in EU-funded projects such as ECYBRIDGE and CYRESRANGE as a consortium partner, contributing expertise in cyber range integration and civil-defence cybersecurity cooperation.

Product overview

CYSCOE (Cyber Security Cluster of Excellence) is a triple-helix Romanian cybersecurity organization that brings together public, academic, and private commercial institutions. Rather than offering a unified software product, CYSCOE provides cybersecurity services including NIS accredited auditing, training programs, webinars, and collaborative initiatives. The organization participates in European projects such as CYRESRANGE (cyber ranges resiliency network) and ECYBRIDGE (civil-defence cybersecurity cooperation) as a consortium member, contributing expertise in cyber threat intelligence, training, and capacity building rather than selling standalone products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NIS Security Auditing Services Annual security audits for operators of essential services under the NIS Directive and Romanian Law 362/2018. CYSCOE holds accreditation number 8046 under the name 'Association of Cluster of Excellence in Cybernetic Security' and has performed over 500 audits in Romania and globally.
• Cybersecurity Training and Capacity Building Programs Educational programs and training workshops covering cyber threat intelligence, critical infrastructure security, cyber operations, AI in cybersecurity, and industry awareness, including train-the-trainer workshops and large-scale cybersecurity exercises. Designed for public institutions, academic bodies, and private commercial members.
• Cybersecurity Webinar Series Recurring online webinar series covering cybersecurity trends, industry education, critical infrastructure security, cyber intelligence and operations, and artificial intelligence. Includes at least five published episodes featuring expert speakers from the Romanian cybersecurity community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 cybersecurity audits performed nationally and globally as NIS-accredited auditor
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Apply AI Alliance (European Commission)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025CYSCOE was accepted as a member of the Apply AI Alliance, a European Commission initiative dedicated to advancing responsible and trustworthy AI development. CYSCOE was officially included in the Alliance's Stakeholders' Catalogue, connecting it to organizations formulating AI-related policies, standards, and innovation frameworks across the EU.
• CRDF GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 April 2023CRDF Global is a US-based non-profit organization established in 1995 that promotes innovation, security, and safety. CYSCOE partnered with CRDF Global to participate in a Warsaw conference on the prevention of research and technology theft, representing Romania alongside DNSC RO, University of Craiova, Constanta Maritime University, SNSPA, E-ARC, and other institutions.
• Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre (E-ARC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2023E-ARC and CYSCOE signed a cooperation agreement on January 27, 2023, to develop joint projects with national, regional, and international impact. The partnership focuses on building resilience of institutions, organizations, and individuals to cyber-attacks, analyzing modern threats, and training specialists. CYSCOE presented cybersecurity courses to E-ARC experts and both organizations share a common vision on the role of emerging technologies in a robust digital economy. The collaboration targets Romania primarily and the Black Sea region in the future.
• Maritime University of Constanta (CMU / UMC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The Maritime University of Constanta serves as the coordinator of both the ECYBRIDGE project and the CYRESRANGE project. CMU's Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (MARCYSCOE) works closely with CYSCOE on civil-defence cybersecurity synergies and cyber range infrastructure. Rector Gabriel Raicu represents the CYRESRANGE consortium at key events.
• ECYBRIDGE Project Consortium (17 partners across 7 EU countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCYSCOE is a key consortium partner in the ECYBRIDGE project, funded by the DIGITAL Europe programme (DIGITAL-ECCC-2023-DEPLOY-CYBER-04), which aims to enhance coordination and cooperation between civilian and defence cybersecurity sectors. The 17-partner consortium spans 7 European countries and is coordinated by the Maritime University of Constanta. CYSCOE contributes CTI expertise, strategic analysis, dissemination, and civil-defence cooperation capabilities.
• CYRESRANGE Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCYSCOE is a named beneficiary of the CYRESRANGE project ('Cyber Ranges Resiliency Networks'), funded by the EU's Digital Europe program. The consortium includes 6 Romanian entities: CMU (coordinator), DNSC, Bit Sentinel Security SRL, CYSCOE, Cyber Dacians SRL, ICI București, and Orange Romania SA. CYSCOE is responsible for scenario development, operational validation, partnership building, training alignment, and dissemination.
• RiskSightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRiskSight organized the inaugural ECYBRIDGE training session (May 13-15, 2025) hosted by Constanta Maritime University. CYSCOE participated alongside RiskSight and other consortium partners in this intensive 3-day expert-level training program covering CTI, APTs, cross-sector information sharing, and cyber incident simulations.
• BIT SENTINELminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIT SENTINEL is a named beneficiary in the CYRESRANGE project and is also listed as a supporter and organizer of the DefCamp Capture the Flag competition, which CYRESRANGE/CYSCOE supported. BIT SENTINEL contributes technical implementation expertise for CYRESRANGE's cyberEDU platform and capabilities.
• Orange Romania SAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrange Romania SA is a named beneficiary in the CYRESRANGE project and co-organized the DefCamp Capture the Flag competition. Orange contributes telecommunications infrastructure, market reach, and technical capabilities to the federated cyber range network.
• National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics (ICI Bucharest)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICI București is a named beneficiary in both the ECYBRIDGE and CYRESRANGE projects. The institute contributes expertise in critical infrastructure protection, resilience methodologies, and structured approaches to cyber capacity building.
• Cyber Dacians SRLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCyber Dacians SRL is a named beneficiary in the CYRESRANGE project and a member of the CYRESRANGE consortium. The organization contributes specialized Romanian cybersecurity expertise to the federated cyber range network.
• Baltic Defence CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaltic Defence College is a consortium partner in the ECYBRIDGE project, contributing defence and security education expertise to the civil-defence cooperation initiative.
• Safetech InnovationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafetech Innovations is listed as a consortium partner in the ECYBRIDGE project, contributing cybersecurity expertise to the civil-defence synergy initiative.
• Cloud Security Alliance Romania OfficialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCloud Security Alliance Romania Official collaborated with CYSCOE on the bilingual publication 'Artificial Intelligence & The Manipulation of Human Perception' under the ADA educational program, contributing expertise alongside Romanian national institutions including Cyberint (SRI), DNSC, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• National Cyber Security Directorate (DNSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDNSC (Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate) is a named beneficiary in the CYRESRANGE project and is a key national authority in Romania's cybersecurity ecosystem. DNSC also serves as the accrediting body for CYSCOE's NIS auditor status and is a regular collaborator in CYSCOE's conference activities (Bucharest Cybersecurity Conference, CYRESRANGE training workshops).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ENISA (European Union Agency for Cybersecurity): ENISA is the EU agency supporting member states in cybersecurity capacity building, certifications, and exercises. It overlaps with CYSCOE's work on national cyber resilience, CTI dissemination, and cross-border cooperation.
• European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC): ECCC is the EU-level body coordinating cybersecurity competence networks and funding across member states. CYSCOE participates in ECCC-funded projects (CYRESRANGE, ECYBRIDGE), making ECCC a comparable funder and convener in the same ecosystem.
• DNSC (Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate): DNSC is the Romanian national authority for cybersecurity and the accrediting body for CYSCOE's NIS auditor status. Comparable as the public-sector incumbent that CYSCOE partners with — and partially competes against — for influence over Romania's cyber agenda.

Direct peers

• Bit Sentinel: Bit Sentinel is a Romanian cybersecurity firm specializing in incident response, NIS/NIS2 compliance, and cyber range services, and a named CYRESRANGE consortium partner. It is directly comparable as a Romanian commercial cyber services provider in the same market.
• Cyber Wales: Cyber Wales is a cluster organization that brings together Welsh cybersecurity businesses, academia, and government to grow the regional cyber ecosystem. It mirrors CYSCOE's role as a national triple-helix coordinator, but at a sub-national UK level.
• Safetech Innovations: Safetech Innovations is a Romanian cybersecurity company providing NIS compliance, managed security, and incident response, also an ECYBRIDGE consortium partner. Comparable as a domestic peer delivering commercial cybersecurity services in Romania.
• European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO): ECSO is a pan-European, membership-based, triple-helix cybersecurity association connecting industry, academia, and public authorities. It is the closest structural analog to CYSCOE at the EU level, both in governance model and in coordinating cyber capacity-building projects.

Regional players

• ICT Cluster Bulgaria: ICT Cluster Bulgaria is a Southeastern European cluster coordinating ICT and cybersecurity stakeholders across industry, academia, and government. It is comparable as a regional cluster peer operating in the same geographic neighborhood as CYSCOE.

Emerging players

• Atlas Cybersecurity (Portugal): Atlas Cybersecurity is an emerging Portuguese cybersecurity cluster focusing on capacity building and ecosystem development. Comparable to CYSCOE as a smaller national cluster peer targeting public-private-academic collaboration.
• ICI Bucharest (National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics): ICI Bucharest is a Romanian public R&D institute active in critical infrastructure protection and cybersecurity capacity building, and a named partner in ECYBRIDGE and CYRESRANGE. Comparable as an academic/public-sector actor operating in the same project consortia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cyscoe

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CYSCOE - Cyber Security Cluster of Excellence