Creating "resilience companies" in regions. The role of security clusters.
- Kacper Zachariasz
- Mar 29
- 7 min read
In recent years, we have increasingly heard about the need to build resilience. Not only of states and institutions, but also of entire local communities. The world is changing dynamically. We are facing cyberattacks, disinformation, energy crises, climate change, and new forms of hybrid threats. In such realities, the traditional approach to security is simply no longer sufficient. This is where the concept of security clusters emerges, bringing together different environments - academia, business, public administration, and social organizations with one common goal - building regional “resilience companies”.
What is a security cluster?
Simply put, it is a platform for cooperation where different entities share resources, knowledge, and technology to respond more effectively to threats. In practice, a cluster operates like a security ecosystem. Universities develop new solutions, companies provide technologies, and local governments and emergency services test and implement them in real-world conditions. Instead of building everything from scratch in isolated silos, a cluster creates a network in which information and innovation flow freely. In such a model, resilience is not a feature of a single institution, but of the entire ecosystem that can cooperate, learn, and respond quickly.
Why do clusters increase regional resilience?
When we talk about regional resilience, we are not referring only to the ability to survive a crisis. It is something more - the ability to react quickly, adapt, and rebuild at a higher level of organization. This is where security clusters play their role by creating a foundation for cooperation between academia, business, administration, and public services. There are several well-researched mechanisms that explain why clusters genuinely increase regional resilience. As indicated by research published at rur.oekom.de*, regions with well-developed institutions, cooperation networks, and joint coordination mechanisms are less vulnerable to the negative effects of economic, social, or crisis-related shocks. Clusters create exactly such a structure: instead of individual, dispersed entities, an organized network is formed in which everyone knows their role and can act within a shared response system. This makes the region function like a well-coordinated organism rather than a collection of random elements. The second important factor is the diversity of competencies and connections. Clusters do not focus only on similar institutions. They bring together universities, technology companies, emergency services, local governments, and social organizations. This diversity creates natural flexibility, because in crisis situations different sectors and competencies can complement each other. As a result, it becomes possible to quickly develop new solutions, respond in an interdisciplinary manner, and use resources that would normally not interact. Research shows* that regions with a diversified economic structure and strong intersectoral connections adapt better to change and crises than those with a homogeneous profile. Another key element is faster knowledge and technology transfer. In clusters, the exchange of experience occurs naturally: universities provide research results, companies share innovations, and administration contributes practical management perspectives. This synergy means that solutions that would normally take years to test are implemented and improved in real time within clusters. In practice, this includes joint development of exercise scenarios, response procedures, testing of applications, or crisis communication systems. In crisis situations, the worst possible scenario is a lack of communication between institutions. Clusters solve this problem already in peacetime by creating lasting relationships between local governments, universities, services, and businesses. As a result, during a crisis partners do not need to get to know each other, they already cooperate. Communication channels, cooperation rules, and, most importantly, trust are already established. Trust is the foundation of effective response, especially in the first hours of a crisis when time is critical. Security clusters also function as testing platforms where new procedures, technologies, and scenarios can be safely tested. Simulations, field exercises, communication tests, and crisis management scenarios allow participants to learn from mistakes in a controlled environment before real threats occur. Such activities increase regional readiness while enabling solutions to be scaled to other administrative units - counties, cities, or regions.
Examples of functioning resilience clusters
In the West Midlands and South West regions of the United Kingdom, the Cyber Resilience Alliance initiative operates, identified under the “Science and Innovation Audit for the Cyber Resilience Alliance” program. This region constitutes the second-largest cybersecurity cluster outside London.** In addition, the UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3)*** program supports regional cybersecurity clusters. Participation in clusters allows companies to gain access to partnerships, universities, and services. Why is this important? Cybersecurity is now a key element of regional resilience. Energy supply, digital infrastructure, logistics, everything operates in a high-risk environment. Thanks to the cluster, companies, universities, and administration can jointly increase readiness, conduct training, test scenarios, and build support networks. In the area stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, the Intermarium Clusters for Security & Innovation (ICSI) initiative operates, a platform connecting technology and security clusters from Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Ukraine. Its goal is the development of dual-use technologies (civil-military), joint markets, supply chains, and the promotion of innovation.**** This example shows that a security cluster does not have to be limited to one region of a country but can operate internationally. This increases the scale of operations and integration between institutions, which in turn strengthens resilience against geopolitical threats.
How a security cluster works in practice - mechanisms and stages
Building a security cluster is not just about creating a formal cooperation structure. It is primarily about building a network of real relationships in which every institution, university, company, and public service has a clearly defined role and a common goal: strengthening regional resilience. A security cluster connects different environments: universities, research units, technology companies, public administration, and emergency services. Cooperation is based on clear communication rules and mutual support. A university may serve as a knowledge center, technology companies provide IT solutions, and administration ensures organizational frameworks and access to resources. Joint processes are the core of cluster operations. Potential threats are analyzed together, exercise scenarios are prepared, and crisis simulations are conducted. New technologies are also tested in this process, for example, mobile applications for crisis management teams or systems supporting inter-institutional communication. A modern security cluster is based on technologies that facilitate response and coordination. These may include crisis communication systems, digital incident management platforms, and dual-use solutions, civilian technologies that can be used in crisis situations. The cluster also functions as a shared space for exchanging experience. Trainings, workshops, scientific publications, and research and development projects are organized. Testing laboratories are often created to verify new technologies in practice. Exercises and simulations are a mandatory element. The cluster regularly conducts practical exercises for example, simulations on university campuses, in industrial facilities, or in local government offices. This allows not only technology but also cooperation between participants to be tested. Every activity should be evaluated. The cluster analyzes how participants respond to incidents, what worked well, and where improvements are needed. Conclusions from these analyses return to the system forming a learning loop.
Stages of cluster implementation
The first stage is a thorough analysis of local threats and resources. It is necessary to identify potential regional partners, their competencies, and existing gaps. Building the cluster structure is the next step. At this stage, cooperation rules, legal forms, participant roles, and the governance model are defined. The cluster should be open while maintaining clear decision-making procedures.The operational phase then begins: laboratories, pilot projects, and training programs are launched. At this stage, building relationships and trust between partners is crucial.Implementation of operational activities is the moment when the cluster “comes to life.” Simulations, technological tests, and joint exercises are carried out, and participants begin operating in real scenarios.The cluster must remain dynamic, adapting to changes, updating procedures, and developing its tools. Regular monitoring and evaluation help avoid stagnation.If innovative technological solutions are developed within the cluster, they can be commercialized, exported, or implemented in other regions. Many clusters also use grant and funding programs to support their development.
The role of the cluster in building “resilience companies”
Industry literature emphasizes that a cluster functions as a resilience ecosystem. It is not only about joint projects, but about making the region operate as an integrated organism. Learning, adapting, and cooperating. Building a security cluster is an investment in the resilience of the entire region. To be effective, a cluster should have a clearly defined profile, such as cybersecurity, crisis management, or critical infrastructure. Public-private cooperation is essential. Administration, academia, and business must work side by side. Practical exercises and technological testing (e.g., mobile crisis management centers, staff applications) are the foundation of readiness building. A long-term financing and development model should also be planned, including EU funds, grants, and private partnerships.
What next?
For regions that want to start building their own security cluster, proper preparation and conscious planning of the first steps are crucial. The starting point should be a map of partners and competencies, a thorough identification of institutions, universities, technology companies, and services operating in the region, along with their resources and experience. This allows stakeholders to understand who can contribute value and in what scope. The next step is organizing a strategic workshop where key partners jointly develop the cluster’s vision, goals, structure, and priorities. Such a meeting is not only an exchange of ideas but also a process of building relationships and trust the foundation of effective cooperation. It is then worth conducting pilot simulation exercises, for example in the form of a one-day crisis scenario testing communication processes, inter-service cooperation, and the use of available tools and technologies. This allows theory to be verified in practice. At the same time, a knowledge exchange and communication system should be established, a digital platform, knowledge base, or regular thematic meetings enabling information sharing between partners. This is essential to maintain the cluster’s long-term development and momentum. Finally, a sustainable financing model must be developed. From the very beginning, it should be clear how initiatives, training programs, and research projects will be funded whether through EU funds, regional programs, or contributions from participants and private partners. In this way, a region can gradually build its own security ecosystem, a cooperation network that not only responds to crises but primarily prevents them.
Because resilience is not an accident. It is the result of cooperation, planning, and shared responsibility for regional security.
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