Cyber Resilience Centre Greenport (CWG) is embedding digital security as a prerequisite for sustainable digitalisation in the horticultural sector.

Within the Greenport Horti Campus Katapult programme, Cyber Resilience Centre Greenport (CWG) is working to structurally integrate digital security into education, innovation, and practice across the horticultural sector. As a result, cybersecurity is increasingly being recognised as a key condition for a future-proof and digitally resilient sector.

This effort aligns with the human capital objectives of Security Delta (HSD), which focus on strengthening knowledge, talent development, and labour market development in cybersecurity and digital resilience. By linking cybersecurity early on to education and practical experience, students and professionals are better prepared for the digital challenges within vital sectors such as horticulture.

Within the Katapult programme, strengthening the connection between education and practice is central. Companies, educational institutions, and campuses collaborate on current challenges related to digitalisation, the energy transition, AI, engineering, and sustainable entrepreneurship. Students work on practice-based innovation challenges from industry, while professionals further develop their skills through tailored learning pathways.

From this broader movement, CWG explicitly positions cybersecurity as an integral part of future-proof entrepreneurship and innovation. By logically connecting digital security to education, innovation, and real-world challenges, cyber resilience is becoming a natural and embedded element of learning and working within the horticultural sector.

Connecting education, practice, and cyber resilience

Together with its partners, CWG works to increase knowledge and awareness of digital security in the sector. MBO and HBO students are actively involved, ensuring they become familiar with cyber resilience and current digital risks in horticulture during their studies.

In addition, efforts are underway to structurally embed cybersecurity into curricula and educational programmes. Teachers and advisors are supported with knowledge, practical tools, and in-depth sessions, ensuring digital security becomes a sustainable part of both education and professional practice.

Cybersecurity is also increasingly linked to broader themes within the Katapult programme, such as digitalisation, AI, and engineering. In this way, digital security is becoming a standard prerequisite for innovation and business operations.

Concrete activities and results

In recent periods, various guest lectures, workshops, and in-depth sessions have been organised for students, teachers, advisors, and entrepreneurs.

For example, CWG delivered an in-depth session for advisors from the Horti Academy on digital security in daily practice. In addition, a guest lecture was given at Inholland University of Applied Sciences within the course Crop & Technology, where students worked on real-world cybersecurity challenges from the sector.

Students from MBO Westland also engaged with sector-specific cyber risks and practical approaches to cyber resilience in horticultural practice. These activities have helped engage multiple study programmes, lecturers, advisors, and stakeholders in further embedding digital security within education and the sector.

Next steps

In the coming period, the focus will be on further alignment with other activities within the Greenport Horti Campus Katapult programme and on the sustainable embedding of joint efforts. This will further strengthen the connection between education, innovation, and practice, and contribute to a digitally resilient horticultural sector.