Greece Launches Digitization Program With Cisco

ATHENS, Greece and SAN JOSE, Calif. — The government of Greece and Cisco are working together to accelerate digitization across the country and power an “inclusive recovery” from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greece and Cisco launched a “collaborative framework” under Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program, according to Cisco last month.

The CDA program in Greece is aligned with the Greece 2.0 strategy, which is a blueprint to transform the country’s economic model toward sustainable growth by transitioning to a zero-carbon, digital economy. 

See more: IBM Partnering With Atos on ‘Digital Transformation’ for Dutch Ministry of Defense

Cisco’s digitization focus for Greece

Cisco plans to support Greece’s digital transition with technology and expertise, focusing on several main areas:

• The digitization and security of public sector services
• Hybrid learning models for schools
• Training the workforce of the future with next-generation cybersecurity and IT skills
• Helping to create a resilient maritime industry through Greece’s digital ports of the future
• Foundational support to the Greek government in building a resilient economy and inclusive society

Similar CDA programs have supported the creation of net-new jobs and GDP growth and helped nurture innovation ecosystems, Cisco said.

The digitization framework was introduced in a meeting between Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Greece minister of digital governance, and several representatives of Cisco: Gerri Elliott, EVP and chief customer and partner officer; Guy Diedrich, VP and global innovation officer; and Antonis Tsiboukis, managing director at Cisco Greece. 

See more: Bangalore International Airport Limited Engaging IBM for Digital Transformation

Cisco Opens Digital Transformation and Skills Center 

Cisco also opened its Digital Transformation and Skills Center in Thessaloniki. 

The center is dedicated to the development of practical solutions, by applying innovative technologies from Cisco and its partner ecosystem, startups, and educational and research institutions. 

The co-innovation will focus on various areas: the quality of life of citizens, such as smart cities; health; rural development; tourism; environmental protection; civil protection; and more. 

“We are grateful that Cisco has selected Greece to launch a Country Digital Acceleration program,” Pierrakakis said. “Working with private sector companies like Cisco is a necessary ingredient for the success of Greece’s digital transformation.”

Cisco is “very pleased” to introduce the CDA program in Greece and support both the government and industry in achieving their economic and digitization goals, as “we recover from the global pandemic together,” said Guy Diedrich, VP and global innovation officer, Cisco.

See more: How Digital Transformation is Occurring at Vodafone, Netflix, Ulta, Siam Commercial Bank, and Choice Airlines: Business Case Studies