Towards a Secure Europe: Turning EU Security into Tangible Reality

A new policy brief outlines the pressing need for the European Union to evolve its security approach in the face of escalating hybrid threats and cyber challenges. As Europe’s geopolitical landscape becomes increasingly unstable, the report emphasises the importance of making security a top priority through comprehensive and coordinated measures. 

The Security Challenge 

The digitalisation of society and economy has made the EU more vulnerable to cyberattacks, information manipulation, and threats to critical infrastructure. The rise of hostile state and non-state actors, particularly in light of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has underscored these vulnerabilities. Cyber threats are rampant, with cyberattacks in Europe accounting for a significant share of incidents globally. Disruptions can have devastating consequences, affecting essential services and undermining public trust in institutions. 

To address these challenges, a shift in mindset towards a more integrated and holistic approach of understanding security is needed. This requires enhanced coordination across EU institutions and member states, with an emphasis on clear roles, responsibilities, and a systemic assessment of threats. Prevention and resilience must become fundamental aspects of EU policy, embedded across various sectors to ensure a more robust defence mechanism. 

Key Recommendations 

The brief outlines several strategic recommendations to bolster EU security: 

• Leadership and Coordination: Clear delineation of responsibilities and close collaboration among key EU actors are crucial. 

• Enhanced Funding: Allocate more resources to critical security agencies such as ENISA and the EEAS. This increase would enable these bodies to expand their operations, provide better support to member states, and enhance EU-wide response capabilities. 

• Cyber-Proofing Legislation: Incorporate cybersecurity considerations into EU impact assessments, ensuring that all policies are evaluated for their potential impact on digital security. This would enable a more proactive and preventive approach to policy-making. 

• Operationalising Security Mechanisms: Fast-track initiatives like the Joint Cyber Unit to improve inter-institutional coordination. Additionally, leverage successful frameworks, such as the EU Toolbox on 5G Security, as models for action. 

Read more in the pdf below.