The overarching objective of the SECURE-NET project is to improve the research and innovation capabilities in cybersecurity of four widening countries: Estonia, Czechia, Lithuania, and Ukraine. This objective will be achieved via enhanced cross-sectoral collaboration and the better training of R&I talents. To this end, SECURE-NET brings together 11 partners: eight organizations from widening countries (four academic, three businesses, and one governmental organization) which will be supported by three partners from the Netherlands (two academic and one business entity). SECURE-NET will: i) develop a comprehensive framework for cross-sectoral staff secondments and R&I talents’ skill development; ii) provide 31 R&I talents from partner organizations with domain-specific knowledge and transferable skills in IP and technology transfer (with 27 secondees coming from widening countries and 22 secondees being early-career researchers or in junior positions); iii) strengthen cross-sectoral and cross-border collaboration between partners; and iv) enhance the international profile and visibility of the widening partners. As a result, SECURE-NET will contribute to better employability and career prospects for R&I talents and help overcome a lack of translation of scientific results into innovations. The latter is crucial to ensure that the EU catches up with other regions in terms of innovation output. Moreover, given the significant increase in both the variety and quantity of cyberattacks and their consequences in the European Union as whole, but in Eastern and Eastern Central Europe in particular, SECURE-NET is as timely as ever and will help safeguard the smooth operation of our highly digitized societies.