Filenews 29 October 2023 - by Despina Psillou
Cyprus is preparing to turn the page and enter the digital era, through a plethora of projects and actions supported by the European Union with mammoth funding of €282 million. by 2026.
It provides for the integration of artificial intelligence in the public and private sectors in order to strengthen the digital economy. Connectivity with ultra-high-speed networks in cities and countryside is promoted. Education of society in digital skills is intensified. Research and innovation are supported. Start-up entrepreneurship is promoted. The defense against hackers is strengthened.
All projects are listed in the Strategic Plan 2024-2026 of the Deputy Ministry of Innovation, which will be presented tomorrow in Parliament during the budget debate.
"Digital transformation is undoubtedly the greatest challenge of modern times", underlined the Deputy Minister of Innovation, Filippos Hadjizacharias, and added: "Achieving a successful and sustainable digital transition will allow the state to provide more efficient and accessible services to citizens, will automate time-consuming processes, significantly improving the effectiveness of the country's governance, while it will strengthen the transparency of the state by banishing corruption."
The digital transformation, the Deputy Minister stressed, creates conditions and prospects for the development of innovation and the technological industry, while it will strengthen the ecosystem of Cyprus, creating new jobs. "With this transition, we will achieve both the protection of personal data and the preservation of citizens' privacy. It will also strengthen our preparedness to respond to emergencies such as natural disasters or public health crises, ensuring rapid response and management."
The importance of the transition to the digital age, according to Mr. Hadjizacharias, is revealed by EU funding. According to the plans, the total budget of the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan amounts to €1.2 billion. until 2026 to finance reforms in five policy areas, one of which is the digital transition. "Under this axis, projects and actions amounting to €89.4 million are financed. (7.4% of €1.2 billion). However, it is estimated that the projects for the digital transition of the Recovery and Resilience Plan reach €282 million. (23%)».
The Deputy Ministry of Innovation, according to its political head, is the implementing body of 17 projects worth €139.5 million, while it has under its supervision another 21 digital projects implemented by other ministries, worth €70.4 million. Structural Fund projects include a small number of other digital projects, which are not monitored by the Deputy Ministry but fall under the financing of the Structural Funds.
Regarding the Strategic Plan 2024-2026 of the Deputy Ministry of Innovation, it focuses on three pillars:
a) Digital transformation of the country: Strengthening the digital ecosystem, through the promotion of e-government, the upgrading of infrastructure for connectivity, the enhancement of citizens' digital skills, the digital transformation of businesses, and the achievement of the goals of the Digital Decade 2030.
b) Sustainable innovative economy: Creating a favorable environment for research and innovation to promote the competitiveness of the economy and the social welfare of the country.
c) Shielding the country's infrastructure: Strategic policy framework for the effective protection of the country's (critical) network and information infrastructures while raising society's awareness on cybersecurity issues.
Transforming with infrastructure and artificial intelligence
Strengthening the digital economy and integrating digital technology into businesses is one of the seven objectives of the Strategic Plan, integrating artificial intelligence into the labour market.
In particular, the planning aims at the digital transformation of businesses and entrepreneurship in general, as well as at enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.
Includes:
-Creation of a framework for the development of cutting-edge technologies:
-Development of applications of decentralized technologies (blockchain) and artificial intelligence, in the public and private sectors.
-Creation of favorable conditions for the transfer of mature research applications to the wider public and private sector. Targeted "export" of know-how and applications to the geographical region of the country by exploiting the networks in which Cyprus is a member.
The integration of digital technology into the economy:
-Utilization of the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) to provide support (pre-investment testing, skills and training, support in attracting investment, support of the innovation ecosystem and networking opportunities) to businesses and/or the public sector, on issues related to their digital transformation.
Another objective is to strengthen digital governance. Digital transformation is a horizontal government priority inextricably linked to the broader reform and development policy of the state. It is fully in line with broader policies at European and international level, such as the 2030 Policy Programme "Digital Decade" and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with particular emphasis on the triptych sustainability, resilience and adaptability.
Incorporation includes:
>Development of central government infrastructure and information systems:
>The redesign and modernization of the architecture of digital infrastructures and information systems of the public sector is promoted, based on best practices and internationally established methodologies and standards, through the adoption of an integrated governance framework that ensures their effective management, but also the collection of data, the processing of which will be used in decision-making and policy formulation.
>Development of digital services to citizens and businesses: Revision of the approach to the implementation of secure and citizen-centric digital services, adopting a flexible working methodology, designing new standards and uniform presentation.
Infrastructure and connectivity
The third objective concerns the promotion of infrastructure and connectivity. Digital connectivity infrastructure, and in particular ultra-high-speed networks, is a driving force for modern economies and a prerequisite for accelerating the country's digital transformation. The investment in new network technologies does not only concern the telecommunications industry, but is expected to bring multidimensional benefits, such as strengthening the country's competitiveness, increased efficiency and productivity, strengthening business activity, promoting innovation and new jobs.
It includes: Development and promotion of electronic (broadband) communications: It concerns the expansion of ultra-high speed networks (VHCN) throughout Cyprus, while supporting households for connection, the optimal management of the radio frequency spectrum, the development of quantum communications, the creation of conditions for the unified development of smart cities, and the exploitation of the prospect opened by the exploitation of space technologies, both at the level of applications and at the level of research programs.
Research and innovation
Sustainable innovative technology is a two-pillar part of the Strategic Planning. It concerns the creation of a dynamic Research and Innovation ecosystem, contributes decisively to the successful management of social challenges, and the formation of a dynamic, extrovert and competitive knowledge-based economy, with a positive impact on the entire spectrum of social and economic activity.
The first pillar concerns the support of research excellence of the Research and Innovation ecosystem. It includes: Ensuring the adequacy of the Research and Innovation ecosystem with appropriate human resources: Promoting research culture, innovation, necessary skills and technological education at all levels of the education system. Attracting talented executives from abroad.
The second pillar concerns the promotion of start-up and innovative entrepreneurship. It has to do with the formulation of an integrated framework for the promotion of start-up and innovative entrepreneurship and the commercial exploitation of research results
It includes: Sustainable innovative technology is a two-pillar module of Strategic Planning. It concerns the creation of a dynamic Research and Innovation ecosystem, contributes decisively to the successful management of social challenges, and the formation of a dynamic, extrovert and competitive knowledge-based economy, with a positive impact on the entire spectrum of social and economic activity.
The first pillar concerns the support of research excellence of the Research and Innovation ecosystem.
It includes: Ensuring the adequacy of the Research and Innovation ecosystem with appropriate human resources: Promoting research culture, innovation, necessary skills and technological education at all levels of the education system. Attracting talented executives from abroad.
The second pillar concerns the promotion of start-up and innovative entrepreneurship. It has to do with the formulation of an integrated framework for the promotion of start-up and innovative entrepreneurship and the commercial exploitation of research results
It includes: Promoting the extroversion of the Research and Innovation ecosystem:
-Creating a favorable environment for attracting start-ups and talented executives to Cyprus.
-Utilization of the country's participation in international research organizations and organized networks of countries, cooperation with European research infrastructures and creation of national cooperation hubs. Promotion of Transnational Collaborations in the fields of science, research and innovation through which joint activities and cooperation programs are promoted.
-Promotion and exploitation of research generated knowledge in the wider geographical region of Cyprus, with the aim of expanding the 'reference market' by making the most of the prospects and possibilities of commercial exploitation of knowledge.
Shielding the country's infrastructure from hackers
The development of cybersecurity governance structures and processes and infrastructure proofing is the last objective of the Strategic Plan. It aims to strengthen public infrastructure so that it is resilient to attacks by cybercriminals and to ensure, as far as possible, the uninterrupted, reliable and efficient provision of services and essential goods vital to society.
Includes:
>Elaboration and activation of a horizontal cybersecurity program of the state: It concerns the formulation of policies (organizational and technical), risk management framework, staff training, compliance with relevant laws and regulations, continuous examination of current practices and threats and implementation of improvements and monitoring of the implementation of the unified cybersecurity program.
>Development of a Government Operational Security Centre (SOC): The activity aims to develop the main mechanism for identifying and responding to cybersecurity threats and incidents.
>Development of processes and technologies for system shielding: The activity aims at the primary shielding of public systems (unified management of IT resources, unified management of firewalls, upgrading of the security of the Government Internet Node, unified management of security upgrades -patch management, single management of security parameters of systems -asset hardening, single management of the antivirus system, single management of secure mobility of devices, single management of cybersecurity requirements in IT projects).
>Development of structures and plans for business continuity and disaster recovery: This activity aims to develop the capacity of the public service to recover when and if there is any interference in the integrity and availability of its information systems, whether this is due to natural disasters, the human factor or even due to cyberattacks.
For a digitally mature society
One of the objectives of the Strategic Plan is to create a digitally mature society. Upgrading digital, entrepreneurial and innovative skills is an essential prerequisite for learning, working and active participation in society, but also for a sustainable and socially inclusive economy.
The Deputy Ministry, in cooperation with public and wider public sector bodies, plans and implements actions for the development and upgrading of skills of both the public and private sector workforce and the general population (including vulnerable groups and residents of remote areas), in accordance with the National Action Plan for Digital Skills 2021-2025.
It includes the Development of digital skills of all population groups: Differentiated approach per population group (content/target of projects). Cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the Human Resource Development Authority, the Cyprus Productivity Centre, the Local Government and other bodies.
