Cybersecurity

Summary:

Cyber-security can be defined as the protection of computer systems and mobile devices from theft and damage to their hardware, software or information, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. As digital technologies grow in importance, the clear view among analysts is that cyber-crime and cyber-attacks increasingly become a major threat to governments, businesses and societies as a whole.

These Briefings offer links to reports and commentaries from major international think-tanks and research institutes on cyber-security and related issues.

Further information:

In each occasion, different events triggered interest from those organisations.

Briefing [February 2017]

Allegations of interference in the US electoral campaign in 2016 through cyber espionage and leaks put the spotlight on cyber-security and cybercrime, not only for ensuring financial or strategic advantages, but increasingly as means of pursuing political aims.

Briefing [April 2018]

The European Commission updated the EU's cyber-security strategy in September 2017, to promote cyber-resilience and joint response across the European Union.

Briefing [October 2018]

Several Western countries issued a coordinated denunciation of Russia, accusing it of running a global hacking campaign. Moscow denies the allegations. In October 2018, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands accused Russia of hacking into the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, while the United States indicted suspected Russian agents for conspiring to hack computers and steal data to delegitimise international anti-doping organisations. They were also accused of trying to hack into Westinghouse Electric, a nuclear power company.