Circle Group

Regulatory Filings • Mar 18, 2025

PRESS RELEASE

CIRCLE Group signs EUR 500,000 framework agreement to bring Port Services in line with the NIS2 Directive and updated EU and national technical requirements

Milan, March 18, 2025

Circle S.p.A. ("CIRCLE" or the "Company") - an Innovative SME listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market, heading the Group specialized in the process analysis and the development of solutions for the digitalization of the port and intermodal logistics sectors, as well as in the international consultancy on Green Deal and energy transition topics – announces the launch of a €500,000 strategic framework contract to ensure state-of-the-art port services that comply with the new requirements of the NIS2 Directive and updated national requirements. This initiative is part of the growing focus on cybersecurity, especially for critical sectors such as ports, which are crucial for the economy and national security.

The NIS2 (Network and Information Security Directive) is the new European standard for cybersecurity, extending the obligations from the previous NIS1. In particular, 28 February 2025 was the deadline for registration on the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCA) portal, obliging all companies subject to the directive to complete their registration. As of 1 March 2025, the ACN has prepared the analysis of the requests and will subsequently upload the list of companies that will have to implement the necessary measures, under penalty of economic sanctions in case of non-compliance.

In this scenario, Circle Group stands by the side of logistics and port operators to provide constant updates and to support ports and intermodal nodes on the path to compliance, offering a range of services implemented to accompany companies at every stage: from the preliminary analysis phase, through support in the assessment and gap analysis phase to assess the current state of the information systems and identify areas to be strengthened, to technical guidance for the adoption and implementation of demand measures. The support also includes training and awareness programmes to prepare staff for the new challenges up to refactoring.

Luca Abatello, CEO of Circle Group, commented: 'With this contract, in line with our "Connect 4 Agile Growth" strategic plan, we intend to consolidate our leadership in the port services sector, providing companies in the sector with an integrated, secure and compliant solution, avoiding operational delays and critical issues. The investment is aimed at improving the cyber

resilience of port infrastructure, ensuring business continuity and protecting against cyber threats, while promoting regulatory compliance and avoiding risks of penalties and service disruptions.'

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Founded in Genoa in 2012, Circle S.p.A. is the Innovative SME at the head of the CIRCLE Group, the Group specialising in the analysis and development of products for the innovation and digitalisation of the port and intermodal logistics sectors and in international consultancy on Green Deal and energy transition issues.

The Group includes the software houses Info.era, NEXT Freight, Cargo Start, eXyond S.r.l., Circle Garage, the consulting companies Magellan Circle and Magellan Circle Italy, NEXT Customs, as well as the subsidiaries ACCUDIRE.

The main products are the different Milos® suites for various targets, the Extended Port Community System, the MasterSPED® and Milos® Global Supply Chain Visibility solutions for shipping, logistics, trade and industry, respectively, as well as StarTracking®, an airport-to-airport tracking solution. Completing the Supply Chain offering are 'Federative Services', offered in cloud mode, which can make customers' migration to a digital business model more efficient.

In the Circle Group's sphere of innovation activities, Milos® Intelligence offers a series of advanced solutions that exploit AI technologies for optimisation, simulation and the Digital Twin to support the transformation of decision-making processes by promoting the digitalisation of systems.

Through Magellan Circle and Magellan Circle Italy, the Group operates in the field of advocacy at European institutions, working alongside public bodies and companies, identifying their positioning at European level (Strategic Communication and Advocacy) and funding opportunities (Eu Funding Accelerator), with a vertical focus on Green Deal and energy transition issues.

With the acquisition of Cargo Start, a company specialised in the development and sale of innovative technological products and services for air cargo, Circle has also strengthened its offer in a rapidly expanding and strategic segment with respect to the Connect 4 Agile Growth industrial plah.

Through its subsidiary eXyond (92%), is active in offering advanced Gate Automation solutions for port and intermodal nodes, in advanced traffic monitoring and management services on the Italian road and motorway network (Infomobility), and in the provision of telematic services (TrucK), based on proprietary technology platforms, to companies operating in the logistics, transport and insurance sectors.

Circle also owns 21% of the share capital of ACCUDIRE, an innovative startup from Verona that provides a Collaborative Digital Platform capable of helping players along the global supply chain in the exchange of information and the management of document flows, starting with the e-CMR (or electronic waybill) and e-DDT.

Finally, through NEXT Customs, active in customs optimisation digital services and functional to the continuation of initiatives aimed at the harmonisation of customs processes, Circle has entered a strongly strategic sphere for the evolution of the Connect 4 Agile Growth path.

Circle S.p.A. has been listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market of Borsa Italiana since October 26, 2018 (alphanumeric code: CIRC; ISIN code ordinary shares: IT. 0005344996).

Per ulteriori informazioni Circle S.p.A. Registered office Via Giovanni Battista Pergolesi 26, 20124 Milano Operational headquarters Piazza Borgo Pila 40 (Torre A interno 46), 16129 Genova Investor Relations Mail: ir@circletouch.eu | Mobile: +39 348 3067877

Media Relations: Image Building Via Privata Maria Teresa, 11 20123 – Milano Email: circle@imagebuilding.it | Phone: +39 02 89011300

Euronext Growth Advisor: Integrae SIM S.p.A. Piazza Castello 24, 20121 Milano Email: info@integraesim.it | Phone: 02.80.50.61.60