Frequently asked questions

CyberShield4Health (CS4H) is a two-year EU-funded project (2026–2028) that helps hospitals and other healthcare providers improve their cybersecurity through practical tools, expert support and shared services. The project brings together healthcare organisations and cybersecurity specialists across Europe to deliver NIS2 maturity assessments, security monitoring (SOC services), penetration testing, staff training and support for responding to cyberattacks, particularly ransomware. Through real-world pilots and collaboration between five European healthcare clusters, CS4H aims to make these cybersecurity services accessible and scalable for all European healthcare providers. The goal is simple: help healthcare organisations prevent cyberattacks, respond effectively when incidents occur and keep patient care running safely.

CyberShield4Health focuses on turning proven cybersecurity practices into shared, operational services for healthcare organisations. Building on Belgium’s SHIELD model, which already connects more than 90 healthcare providers, CS4H aims to expand this collaborative approach to five European clusters, reaching over 150 healthcare providers. What makes CS4H distinctive is its focus on practical implementation: Building on existing experience: adapting cybersecurity solutions already developed within the Belgian healthcare sector. Deploying real services: testing security monitoring, NIS2 assessments and incident response support in healthcare environments. Sharing proven solutions: enabling hospitals across countries to reuse tools, expertise and lessons learned. Creating lasting impact: developing a scalable model for cybersecurity collaboration that can continue beyond the project. Rather than leaving each healthcare organisation to develop its own solutions, CS4H helps turn local cybersecurity expertise into shared capabilities that benefit healthcare providers across Europe.

Many healthcare providers lack the resources and expertise to manage growing cyber threats independently. Building on Belgium’s SHIELD model, CyberShield4Health brings healthcare organisations together across five European clusters to make specialised cybersecurity services more accessible and cost-effective. Through shared security monitoring, vulnerability assessments, incident response support and training, CS4H helps healthcare providers strengthen their defences without having to develop every capability themselves. The project aims to extend this collaborative approach to over 150 healthcare providers, protecting patient data and ensuring continuity of care.

Assess cybersecurity preparedness and needs. Provide an overview of cybersecurity tools, services, and training needs. Develop tailored technical and operational plans. Implement and validate pilots in five Member States. Deliver cybersecurity training and awareness programmes. Disseminate best practices, blueprints, and toolkits across Europe. Support measurable progress towards NIS2 maturity and compliance.

A collective approach enables healthcare organisations to strengthen their cybersecurity by sharing expertise, resources and proven solutions rather than tackling every challenge independently. CyberShield4Health puts this into practice by connecting healthcare providers and cybersecurity experts across five European clusters, helping them to: Access specialised expertise and advanced cybersecurity services that may be difficult to implement individually. Detect and respond to threats faster through shared security services and incident response support. Make better use of resources by reducing duplicated efforts and building on existing solutions. Strengthen NIS2 readiness through cybersecurity maturity assessments, training and practical guidance. Learn from each other by exchanging knowledge, experiences and best practices across borders. Improve cybersecurity maturity through tested solutions, practical pilots and continuous collaboration. Build long-term resilience by developing scalable cybersecurity capabilities that benefit the wider healthcare sector. By transforming individual cybersecurity challenges into collective action, CS4H helps healthcare organisations become better prepared, more resilient and better equipped to protect patient data and ensure continuity of care.

All healthcare organisations across Europe can adopt and apply the project outputs.