Cyprus is set to host a new regional cybersecurity center focused on protecting maritime infrastructure across the Easte...

Cyprus is set to host a new regional cybersecurity center focused on protecting maritime infrastructure across the Eastern Mediterranean, developed in partnership with Israel and Greece. The facility, called the Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (MarCCE), will be based in Nicosia and operate under Cyprus' Digital Security Authority. The center traces back to agreements made at the 2025 trilateral summit between the leaders of all three countries. It will connect directly with the Israeli National Cyber Directorate and Greece's National Cybersecurity Authority to coordinate defenses across maritime networks and shipping systems. The Eastern Mediterranean handles a significant share of global trade, making its ports, logistics platforms, and shipping companies high-value targets for state-backed hackers. Officials pointed to the growing use of automated navigation, satellite communications, and interconnected logistics as expanding the attack surface for cyber threats. MarCCE is expected to run threat intelligence sharing operations, train specialists in responding to digital attacks on ports and vessels, and develop international policy standards for maritime cybersecurity. The center will also run simulated cyber-attack exercises to test how ports and ships hold up under real-world pressure scenarios. The broader context matters here. Conflict involving Iran and wider instability across the Middle East have pushed cybersecurity concerns to the top of the agenda for Eastern Mediterranean governments. Cyber warfare frequently accompanies conventional military activity, and a successful attack on maritime infrastructure could disrupt energy supplies, trade routes, or naval operations across the region. For Cyprus, whose economy and strategic position depend heavily on maritime activity, officials say this has moved from a business concern to a national security priority. The island sits at the intersection of Europe and the Middle East, making it both a target and a potential anchor for regional defense cooperation. Officials hope the center will eventually expand to include more regional partners beyond the current Greece-Israel-Cyprus framework...