The Cretan Security Operations Center (C-SOC) is a four-year, EU-funded initiative designed to enhance cybersecurity resilience across Crete. Coordinated by the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), the project aims to establish a state-of-the-art Security Operations Center that will initially support FORTH and local stakeholders, before scaling to serve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the island.

Leveraging FORTH’s infrastructure—including over 60,000 IP addresses and extensive cybersecurity expertise—C-SOC integrates advanced, AI-driven analytics to proactively detect and mitigate cyber threats. The center also utilizes large-scale honeypot deployments, enabling real-time attack monitoring and intelligence gathering. Initial results indicate a persistent, high-volume threat landscape, with over 150,000 attack attempts logged every three hours.

C-SOC combines applied research with operational readiness, contributing to both local capacity building and broader European cybersecurity objectives. Through internationally recognized certifications, expert training, and collaboration with leading cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., TF-CSIRT, IRCA, CompTIA), the center positions itself as a key node in Europe’s digital defense ecosystem.