Nicosia: Israel, Greece, and Cyprus have jointly launched the Maritime Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (MarCCE), a significant initiative aimed at enhancing cyber resilience within the maritime sector across the three nations and the broader Mediterranean region. The Center will be established and operated out of Nicosia, Cyprus, marking a strategic development in regional cybersecurity efforts.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the kick-off meeting for the Center's launch took place on February 25. Key figures present included Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yossi Karadi, Director General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, Michalis Bletsas, Head of the Greek National Cybersecurity Authority, George Michaelides, Cyprus Commissioner of Communications, and Diamandis Zafeiriadis, Head of the Digital Security Authority of Cyprus.
The creation of the MarCCE follows a shared vision set by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and President Nikos Christodoulides during the Jerusalem Summit in December 2025. The Center will function under the Cyprus Digital Security Authority, working closely with the Israel National Cyber Directorate and the Greek National Cybersecurity Authority to bolster maritime cyber resilience in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The MarCCE's operational focus will be on four strategic pillars: Threat Intelligence and Operations Center, Capacity Building and Training, Policy and Regulation, and Innovation and Research. These pillars will encompass activities such as continuous monitoring of maritime-specific cyber threats, specialized training programs, formulation of international security standards, and collaboration between startups and industry leaders in developing technological solutions.
The Center aims to be a growth engine for technological ecosystems in the three countries, facilitating collaboration between academia, industry, and government bodies in research and development. It will also make advanced defense solutions accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises within the maritime sector.
The MarCCE is scheduled to begin operations within the next year as part of a strategic plan to expand cyber services in the maritime domain.