On August 5, 2025, at Tria Space – Central Park Burgas, DIGIHUB held its second practical training dedicated to the opportunities for 100% grant funding for cybersecurity measures for small and medium-sized enterprises under the DEP-1.001 program – “Support for Improving Cybersecurity in SMEs.” Following the success of the first event, the new training brought together new participants from various economic sectors who, over the course of a single day, went through the full cycle of application preparation.
Security in the Digital Environment – With Established Experts
The morning module was dedicated to contemporary threats in cyberspace and practical approaches to protection. Participants gained valuable knowledge and practical advice on recognizing phishing attacks, incident management, identifying vulnerabilities, and taking appropriate measures.
The lecturers in the training session were:
- Prof. Dr. Eng. Stanislav Simeonov – lecturer at the Burgas State University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov,” with experience in Germany and the USA, author of numerous scientific publications, and consultant on network and cryptographic solutions;
- Dr. Eng. Petya Petrova – founder of CYBER CONSULTING GROUP Ltd., a specialist with over 17 years of experience, certified auditor and consultant in ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and DPO.
From Theory to Practice – Real Project Preparation
The afternoon session was dedicated to a practical workshop led by:
- Ina Agafonova – member of the DIGIHUB Board of Directors, head of the EDIH DIGIHUB project, and an expert in digitalization and strategic management with international experience.
During the hands-on work, each enterprise went through:
- A basic audit of the current state of its information security
- Individual consultations with experts
- Completing and finalizing the full project documentation under the DEP-1.001 program
- Preparation of a realistic budget and selection of technical solutions tailored to the business needs
Individual Support and Value Exceeding €10,000 – Completely Free of Charge
Participants received not only training but also a commitment from DIGIHUB for follow-up individual support – audits, guidance on selecting measures, finalizing the application, and consultations through to successful submission. The value of the services provided exceeds €10,000, and all of this was offered completely free of charge as part of DIGIHUB’s European mission.
The event once again reinforced the need for targeted initiatives to enhance the cyber resilience of SMEs and highlighted DIGIHUB’s role as a key partner in the digital transformation process for businesses in Southeastern Bulgaria.
