The European Union has decided to step up its action against cyber threats. Its institutions have drawn up a plan to deal with the deterioration of security in cyberspace, particularly in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Commission and the High Representative of the European Union presented, on Thursday 10 November, a joint action plan on the cyber defense policy to be carried out in the area, in a context of conflict between Russia and Ukraine which is generating tensions in the Western world. Russian aggression is pushing European authorities to act, both by strengthening the EU’s ability to protect its citizens and its infrastructure. Let’s see how she plans to do it.
Strengthen collaboration and information exchange between military and civilian actors
Because cyberspace has no borders, recent computer attacks on transport infrastructure, energy networks or space assets clearly show the risks that malicious actors pose to the civilian and military world. The Russian cyberattack against the KA-SAT satellite network proved how much public authorities and the armed forces (Ukrainian, in this case) could be dependent on the same critical infrastructure.
Recent events should be taken as a lesson for the European Union, which is determined to implement more actions to protect its citizens, armed forces, civil and military missions and operations from various cyber threats.
As a first step, the EU is keen to strengthen coordination between national and European cyber defense players. She is now convinced that greater information sharing will strengthen cooperation between the military and civilian worlds of cybersecurity.
Forging new partnerships, stirring up member states and opening up more to NATO: the EU wants to put all the chances on its side
Securing the EU’s defense ecosystem is also one of the priorities of this action plan 2.0. Cyber experts from institutions in the area are aware that non-critical software can also be used by hackers to carry out computer attacks against companies or governments in various sectors, and in particular the defense sector. ” This requires continued work on cybersecurity standardization and certification to secure both military and civilian domains. », Analyzes the EU.
Another major point to be attached to this EU cyber defense policy is investment in cyber defense capabilities. Here, the European Union wants to push Member States to further increase investment in modern military cyber defense capabilities. For this, Brussels advises States to use cooperation platforms and funding mechanisms that may be available at EU level. The Commission is thinking, among other things, of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO, which allows States to set up enhanced cooperation) and the European Defense Fund (endowed with 8 billion euros and which should strengthen research and development industrial programs in the field of defence).
And to complete this European action plan, the EU has set itself the task of concluding tailor-made partnerships in the field of cyber defence. This could mean, for the European Union, strengthening its cooperation with NATO, in areas such as training, simulations, standardization/regulation, certification of defense solutions and education.
The Commission and the High Representative will present an annual report to the Council of the European Union, which will assess year after year the progress of the implementation of the actions adopted on 10 November. An implementation plan may be drawn up, in parallel and in collaboration with the Member States.
Source : European Commission
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