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The centre will assess IoT and Artificial Intelligence devices and services in the fields of health and smart cities
The Andalusian Digital Agency (ADA), which operates under the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines of the Regional Government of Andalusia, has signed a collaboration agreement with the Ricardo Valle Institute of Innovation Foundation (Innova IRV) to launch a cybersecurity laboratory headquartered in Málaga. The facility will specialise in the assessment of IoT and Artificial Intelligence products and services in the fields of health and smart cities.
With an investment of over €2.18 million, the laboratory is part of Project Red Argos, within the framework of the Territorial Networks of Technological Specialisation (Retech) programme and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, financed by the European Union (Next Generation). Minister Jorge Paradela highlighted that the aim is to turn the facility into “a centre of regional excellence in cybersecurity, offering specialised services in strategic areas. Through this centre, we are taking a decisive step towards consolidating Andalusia’s position as a national and international leader in cybersecurity assessment and certification.”
The new laboratory will enable the assessment and certification of the security of technological solutions developed by companies, public organisations, and research bodies, ensuring regulatory compliance and technical reliability. This will contribute to strengthening the productive sector and protecting essential digital services.
The agreement includes the development of a comprehensive catalogue of assessment and certification activities, ranging from security audits in line with the National Security Framework (ENS) to international certifications.
These actions will make it possible to offer advanced Pen Testing services (simulated cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities), assessments of IoT devices and Artificial Intelligence systems, industrial and healthcare cybersecurity certifications, and regulatory compliance audits, providing significant added value to the Andalusian digital ecosystem.
In addition, the laboratory will offer a specialised training and learning pathway aimed at both public administration technical staff and private sector professionals. The programmes will focus on applied cybersecurity, ENS audits, and the protection of critical infrastructures, “contributing to the generation of talent in a key area of the digital economy.”
Under the agreement, Innova IRV will be responsible for the design, implementation, management, maintenance and operation of the laboratory, while the Andalusian Digital Agency will oversee, coordinate and supervise its activities. ADA will also ensure compliance with obligations related to personal data protection and information security, in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the National Security Framework (ENS).
Ezequiel Navarro, President of Innova IRV, stressed that “this public-private collaboration initiative is of great value in fostering cybersecurity within the Andalusian business sector. It will enable us to move towards a safer and more competitive ecosystem, providing organisations with tools, talent and advanced solutions that will allow them to anticipate and effectively respond to increasingly complex cyberthreat challenges.”
Through this initiative, the Andalusian Digital Agency reinforces its role as a driving force for cybersecurity and digital trust in the region, contributing to the achievement of the objectives set out in the Andalusian Cybersecurity Strategy 2022-2026.
The total estimated investment exceeds €2.18 million, with ADA contributing €1.75 million in phase one. Innova IRV will contribute €437,500 over the duration of the agreement (four years from the date of signature, extendable by unanimous agreement to a maximum of four additional years), covering any costs not funded by the contribution provided by the ADA and ensuring the continuation of phase two.
Jorge Paradela stated that “the objective of this laboratory is to foster and strengthen the regional cybersecurity ecosystem, whose development is essential as a lever for competitiveness and social progress.”
Further information on the services offered by the cybersecurity laboratory, access procedures, and requirements for companies and organisations is available at: https://innovairv.com/laboratorio-de-ciberseguridad/