SCHUTZWERK Supports SMEs with EU SECURE4SME Funding for CRA Implementation

Up to 50% Funding for SMEs: Securing CRA Compliance with the EU SECURE Project

The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is approaching: the regulation entered into force in November 2024 and will be mandatory from December 11, 2027. Many SMEs face significant challenges: limited budgets, lack of IT and cybersecurity expertise, and complex requirements make implementation difficult. Early preparation enables structured implementation of CRA requirements with financial support.

The Secure4SME Cascade Funding provides targeted EU funding for SMEs implementing the CRA. This program makes CRA compliance affordable, straightforward, and practically achievable with up to 50% co-financing for concrete cybersecurity projects. SMEs can secure their digital processes, products, and infrastructure without straining their budget.

CRA Reality for SMEs

For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), implementing the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) presents considerable challenges. While large corporations have dedicated security and compliance departments, the reality for mid-sized companies often looks different:

• Many SMEs lack internal security teams.
• IT security budgets are tight, often covering only a fraction of necessary measures.
• The CRA requires risk analyses, penetration tests, security-by-design, and documentation.
• SMEs become attractive targets for cyberattacks, especially when they are part of critical supply chains.

CRA requirements affect products with digital elements and networked solutions throughout the value chain. Specifically, this means for SMEs: Risk analyses must be systematically established. Vulnerabilities must be actively identified, for example through penetration tests. Development processes require security-by-design from the start. All of this must be comprehensively documented – a significant challenge for companies without dedicated security teams and with tight IT budgets.

This is where the SECURE4SME funding comes in: It enables SMEs to implement the necessary measures with financial support and practical guidance – structured, efficient, and sustainable.

EU SECURE Project: Funding for SMEs in CRA Implementation

With the EU-funded SECURE project, the European Union is specifically strengthening European SMEs in cybersecurity. As part of the first call, the program provides 5 million euros in cascade funding to concretely support small and medium-sized enterprises in implementing CRA requirements.

The focus is clear: direct financial support for SMEs implementing cybersecurity improvement measures and preparing their CRA compliance in a structured way.

Overview:

• 50% co-financing for concrete measures implementing the Cyber Resilience Act
• Up to €30,000 in funding
• Transparent evaluation based on criteria such as impact, feasibility, and quality
• Simple application process via the digital SECURE platform
• Freely accessible training and workshops, plus training and orientation materials
• Access to a repository with selected resources for CRA compliance
• First funding call: January 28 to March 29, 2026

Funded projects strengthen the security of products with digital elements, from technical assessments and process adjustments to organizational measures for meeting CRA requirements. This isn’t just about individual security measures, but cybersecurity across the entire product lifecycle.

Why You Should Address the CRA Now

The Cyber Resilience Act affects a wide range of digital and networked products within the European Union. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors are required to prepare, implement, and demonstrably document security requirements, particularly for products with digital elements and for open-source software stewards.

From 2027, the regulation will be mandatory. Early engagement with the CRA creates planning certainty and enables structured preparation without time pressure.

At the same time, the funding window is limited. Those who start early benefit in multiple ways:

• Save 50% of costs through EU funding (up to €30,000 grant)
• Build know-how in your own team through guided implementation
• Identify and fix security gaps before they become problems
• Gain competitive advantage through demonstrably secure products

The funding for SMEs thus offers a real opportunity: to shape compliance not as an obligation, but as a competitive advantage.

SCHUTZWERK: Your Partner in Cyber Resilience Act Implementation

Beyond financial funding, practical implementation expertise is essential.

SCHUTZWERK provides comprehensive support to SMEs with:

• Development of relevant threatscenariosandriskassessments for your products
• Identification of vulnerabilities through penetrationtests
• Establishment of securedevelopmentprocesses that meet CRA requirements
• Design of secureproductarchitectures with detailed improvement recommendations

Our goal: to make CRA implementation as efficient and realistic as possible for SMEs.

How We Can Support You

The SECURE4SME funding offers you the opportunity to receive up to €30,000 in grants for concrete CRA security measures. Our approach combines technical expertise with practical experience in product security. We work closely with your team to:

• Assess your current product security practices against CRA requirements
• Develop a tailored implementation roadmap
• Support the implementation of required security measures
• Provide ongoing guidance in maintaining compliance

Contact us for a non-binding consultation to discuss how we can support your CRA implementation.

Further information about the funding program can be found on our SECURE4SMEfundingpage and on the officialSECURE4SMEwebsite .