The one-sided economic structure of Kymenlaakso has suffered more from the sudden and steep transition of the economy, according to Kymenlaakso's Just Transition Fund transition plan (JTF). The regional economy of Kymenlaakso needs diversification, and skill levels must be raised both at the company and individual levels. The resilience of businesses and the continuity of their operations must be supported. Business networks and ecosystems need strengthening. The region's young residents must be retained and supported in finding their own employment paths in a challenging economic situation. According to Kymenlaakso's JTF transition plan, the renewal and growth conditions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region must also be supported because the size and turnover of Kymenlaakso's businesses are lower on average than in the rest of the UK. Additionally, the transition plan has identified that there is an unusually low level of Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) activity in Kymenlaakso. Therefore, industry-driven RDI collaboration must be strengthened between Kymenlaakso's SMEs and research institutions. Innovative solutions, experiments, and pilot projects that support the needs of businesses are required. The adoption of new technology should be facilitated to enhance the competitiveness and renewal of businesses. The future of cybersecurity in Kymenlaakso project focuses on actions aligned with Kymenlaakso's transition plan, including innovative, industry-driven cybersecurity pilot projects to improve the continuity of SMEs in the region. Collaboration networks will be established between research institutions, businesses, and organizations to promote effective RDI activities. Businesses will be supported in adopting new cybersecurity technology, contributing to the development of more cyber and information security-focused products, services, and production methods. Digitisation is essential for business operations and a prerequisite for competitiveness. At the same time, it accelerates the economic transition. With the rapid development of digital technology and the economic transition, there is an increasing demand for experts in the fields of cybersecurity and digital technology, while traditional sectors, especially in Kymenlaakso, may experience a decline. Graduates are attracted elsewhere, so it would be important to build the students' connection to the local business life as early as possible. The project also aims to improve the accessibility of education and job opportunities in cybersecurity, gaming, and other digital fields for young people, especially those at risk of exclusion, who are affected by the economic transition. The greater the potential that digital solutions, such as artificial intelligence, offer, the more threats our digital and information environments face, jeopardising business continuity, including in Kymenlaakso. Finnish companies and organizations are increasingly targeted with more focused cyberattacks, including phishing, ransomware, intrusion attempts, and denial-of-service attacks (source: Traficom's Cyber Security Centre). The Russian attack on Ukraine in the cyber environment and the real world brought entirely new levels of risk. In this changed global situation, we must also strengthen our ability to counter external cyber influence on British society and the economy. Without continually evolving cybersecurity and information security, digital solutions become vulnerable and endanger business continuity and the overall functioning of society. Kymenlaakso's Smart Specialisation Strategy has responded to this trend by selecting cybersecurity as a focal area. How can we strike a balance between digital threats and benefits? How can we support the development of cybersecurity for businesses, their personnel, and thus strengthen our resilience against cyber threats? How can we enhance the availability of experts and encourage young people in the region to pursue education and career opportunities in the cyber and digital sectors? This project seeks answers and solutions to these challenges and needs in Kymenlaakso. The awareness and actual expertise in cybersecurity and information security of small businesses have not been previously examined in Kymenlaakso or even at the national level in the UK. Therefore, over 90% of UK businesses' cybersecurity and information security levels remain unclear. The project will investigate the current status of information and cybersecurity in Kymenlaakso's businesses. Additionally, the project will assess the threats and opportunities of artificial intelligence for regional businesses and the impact of cybercriminals offering services (Crime- As-A-Service) on local companies. The project will invest in a unique cybersecurity crisis and disruption exercise environment for businesses, enabling differentiation from other cybersecurity players in the UK. The project will also produce and pilot innovative exer