Malicious cyber activities pose an increasing threat to our societies, our economies and our political systems. And no one is safe from virtual, yet very real… attacks. So, what tools does the EU have to respond to such threats? And what is its strategy? Join us in the world of cyberspace!

EPRS policy podcast - Understanding the EU's approach to cyber diplomacy and cyber defence

The progress of&nbsp;digital transformation&nbsp;has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats.&nbsp;Also the COVID19 crisis has again exposed the cyber vulnerabilities of some critical sectors, in particular healthcare, while teleworking and social distance has increased our dependency on digital technologies and connectivity.

As&nbsp; a consequence, in December 2020 the European Commission launched a new EU Cybersecurity Strategy&nbsp;to make physical and digital critical entities more resilient.

The European Parliament and the Coucil reached a deal on&nbsp;May 2022 on the new rules to&nbsp;strengthen EU-wide resilience

The agreed text&nbsp;sets tighter cybersecurity obligations in terms of risk management, reporting obligations and information sharing. The requirements include incident response, supply chain security, encryption and vulnerability disclosure, among other provisions.

Cybersecurity

The omnipresence of information systems across all sectors and in human daily life leaves society exposed to numerous types of cyber risks that might have profound impact not only on the digital sphere, but also on the off-line world. Revelations of surveillance activities and cyber incidents have left no doubt about the vulnerability of Europe, both in its use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and in its own supply of technologies and solutions

In September 2017, the Commission adopted a cybersecurity package with new initiatives to further improve EU cyber-resilience, deterrence and defence. As part of these, the Commission tabled a legislative proposal to strengthen the EU Agency for Network Information Security (ENISA).

Cybersecurity - 8th parliamentary term

The end of May 2019 marked the first year since the full application of the General data protection regulation (GDPR).

The Parliament and the Commission have stressed that the full potential of data as a social good cannot be unlocked until citizens' lack of trust in technology and their sense of a loss of control of their personal data is properly addressed. Various matters are concerned: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Facial Recognition Technology (FRT); The Internet of Things (IoT); etc.

Data Protection

Internet use and the number of connected devices continue to increase, but so do cyber threats. Parliament has approved new legislation to improve your security.

Activities by cybercriminals are increasing in complexity and sophistication. On Tuesday 12 March 2019, MEPs voted in favour of the cybersecurity act which aims to improve the European response to the increasing number of cyber threats by strengthening the role of the European Agency for Network and Information Security (Enisa) and establishing a common cybersecurity certification framework.

Under the plans Enisa will get more staff and funding, while cybersecurity cooperation between EU countries will be intensified. There will be standardised certification for IT equipment across Europe. Initially certification is voluntary.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/cybersecurity-8th-parliamentary-term_11301_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term. ​​​​​​​

Cybersecurity (2020)

The Commission unveils its internal security strategy at the plenary, and discuss with MEPs its latest proposals to enhance crisis preparedness in the EU.

In response to the current global threat landscape, the EU wants to improve intelligence-gathering to build a comprehensive threat picture, improve preparedness against hybrid threats, building on already-announced measures on protecting undersea cable infrastructure, and enhance measures against serious and organised crime. These may include new actions against drug and firearms trafficking, a deepening of the European Ports Alliance, and a new counter-terrorism agenda.

Internal Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner presented an outline of the strategy to the Civil Liberties Committee on 19 March 2025.

In a separate debate on the same day, MEPs will react to the EU’s Preparedness Union strategy, presented by the Commission on 26 March. It contains a wide range of proposals to step up EU preparedness throughout society, including better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation.

EP Plenary debate on plans to improve the EU’s safety and preparedness

EP Plenary session - EU Preparedness Union Strategy

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the New European Internal Security Strategy

EP Plenary session - Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea

EP Plenary session - Horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements and amending Regulation

Trilogue: Amendment to the Cyber Security Act

Cyberdays 2023

SEDE Workshop on the ' role of cyber in the Russian war against Ukraine '

EP Plenary session - Lessons learnt from the Pandora Papers and other revelation

The Commission presents its internal security strategy in plenary, followed by a debate with MEPs. In response to global threats, the EU wants to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen preparedness against hybrid threats, and enhance measures against organised crime. In a second debate, MEPs and the Commission will discuss the “Preparedness Union” strategy, unveiled on 26 March, focused on better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation.

EU Preparedness Union Strategy: MEPs debate

The Commission presents its internal security strategy in plenary, followed by a debate with MEPs. In response to global threats, the EU wants to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen preparedness against hybrid threats, and enhance measures against organised crime. In a second debate, MEPs and the Commission will discuss the “Preparedness Union” strategy, unveiled on 26 March, focused on better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU Preparedness Union Strategy: closing statements

Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, presents its internal security strategy in plenary, followed by a debate with MEPs. In response to global threats, the EU wants to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen preparedness against hybrid threats, and enhance measures against organised crime. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU Preparedness Union Strategy: opening statements

MEPs and the European Commission discuss the “Preparedness Union” strategy, unveiled on 26 March, focused on better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation.

EU Preparedness Union Strategy: extracts from the debate

This news item shows various elements, including cutaways of antennas and security cameras, illustration of a cybercriminal in action and a server under cyber attack. It also features the Ubitech co-founders highlighting key innovations like a quantum computer model, an AI server, and the MAI.gov government platform for providing online services to citizens. The video further includes illustrations of devices such as smartwatches, smart lights, and security cameras, as well as shots of the European Union agency ENISA's headquarters, dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity, and scenes from the European Cyber Security Challenge competition in Turin.

Infoclip: EU Cybersecurity

Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Commission statement on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: MEPs debate

Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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