Network of excellence on cybersecurity R&D&i
In the context of the Trust in the Digital Domain Plan (derived from the Digital agenda for Spain), INCIBE in cooperation with the cybersecurity research ecosystem, has promoted the creation of a network of centers of excellence on cybersecurity research and innovation. The goal is to bring together the current efforts of that ecosystem and conduct their activities in a coordinated way through a future master plan in line with the European strategy and the real needs of the industry and end users.
Why is this network necessary?
The study published by INCIBE in collaboration with the national Cybersecurity R&D&i ecosystem and some international stakeholders (Feasibility study and design of a network of centers of excellence in R&D&i in cybersecurity) has made an analysis to understand the context and dynamics under which R&D&i in cybersecurity in Spain is performed, concluding with the suitability of creating a network of excellence of this kind.
What is this network pursuing?
Some of the objectives of the network are:
- Boost the cooperation of expert agents in cybersecurity, in order to create possible collaborations.
- Collect a critical mass of research resources overcoming the fragmentation of research in Spain.
- Agglutinate the expertise to encourage positioning, competitiveness and international leadership of the cybersecurity sector.
- Disseminate research results to promote the transfer of knowledge and solutions to the cybersecurity industry.
- Promote the creation of projects providing the training component in the context of cybersecurity.
- Enhance the talent development to succeed in creating a real focus of excellence in Spain on cybersecurity.
- Build incentives to attract cybersecurity expert actors and players.
- Pursuing sustainability research capacities of participants.
Does the Network have legal entity?
The network of excellence has been formally established as a legal entity on July 1, 2016, under the name National Network of Excellence in Cybersecurity Research (RENIC), listed on the National Register of Associations Home Office.
RENIC is membership based-sectorial association that includes research centers, universities and other research agents of the cybersecurity research ecosystem in Spain.
RENIC has a Board of seven members: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and three members.
The founding statutes of RENIC govern and regulate the functioning of the association. For those interested on participating in this partnership it is useful to know the goals and activities as well as the democratic functioning of RENIC.
Is this network of excellence representative?
RENIC has been established as an open network with 16 founding members, with the goal of being a national sectoral association representing the national cybersecurity research ecosystem. It is expected more research centers to adhere to this Network of Excellence in the short term.
A particularly important milestone for RENIC has been his secondment, the July 7, 2016 as a full member to the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO), and his election as a member of its Board of Directors, fulfilling the aim of strengthening the international position of Spanish researcher cybersecurity ecosystem. The election has been made among different European research consortia, which is a great recognition of RENIC as a benchmark in this area.
What role does INCIBE in RENIC?
INCIBE, as a neutral player in the national cybersecurity research ecosystem whose mission is to support research and innovation in cybersecurity, has been the promoter of the creation of RENIC and therefore has signed its founding charter as Honorary Member.
Honorary members of RENIC are defined as those with widely recognized prestige or relevant contributors to the dignity and development of the Network of Excellence or its goals.
For more information related to INCIBE's role on RENIC please send your request to 
Who is formed by?
This network is formed by research and technological centers, as well as public and private universities and it is intended to be open, participative and inclusive in order to provide services throughout the national research ecosystem. RENIC was founded with 16 initial members who are considered the founding members since its formal establishment on July 1, 2016. Currently the network continues to increase its membership and has the following members:
- INCIBE
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
- Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI)
- Fundación I+D del Software Libre (FIDESOL)
- Gradiant (Centro Tecnolóxico de Telecomunicacións de Galicia)
- Fundación i2CAT
- IKERLAN
- IMDEA Networks
- IMDEA Software
- Mondragón Unibertsitatea
- Tecnalia
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Universidad de Cantabria
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
- Universidad de Granada
- Universidad de La Laguna
- Universidad de León
- Universidad de Málaga
- Universidad de Murcia
- Universidad de Sevilla
- Universidad de Vigo
- Universidad de Zaragoza
- Universidad Oberta de Catalunya
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
- Universidad Politécnica de Valencia
- Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
- Vicomtech
How can I get more information to participate?
RENIC's official website (www.renic.es/en) includes detailed information about its members, governance, and operation as well as news related to the activities in which it participates.
If you are part of a cybersecurity research team of a Spanish research or technological center or national university and you are interested in participating as part of the network collaborators, or getting more information, please send your request direct to RENIC to 
.
What other INCIBE initiatives are related?
INCIBE continues to promote activities and actions already identified by the research ecosystem as priorities and described in the study conducted. These actions include:
- The characterization of R&D&i in cybersecurity through:
- The definition of the knowledge map of R&D&i in cybersecurity and development of a catalog of available research results and associated operating rights to facilitate the transference to market and enhancement of research.
- Preparation of a report of early detection of R&D&i trends in Cybersecurity.
- Collaboration in the organization and celebration of the National Conferences on Cybersecurity Research (JNIC) and its call for awards.
- Participate in the creation of a master plan focused on the establishment of a cybersecurity strategy to identify research priorities in R&D&i in cybersecurity (topics and lines of action in R&D&i).
- Implementation of initiatives for coordination and knowledge transference between the R&D&i ecosystem and cybersecurity industry through initiatives such as the (National Cybersecurity Cluster)