Cybersecurity strategy of the European Union: An open, safe and secure cyberspace

Summary:

Joint Communication published by the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy on 7 February 2013, setting out a strategy for enhancing cybersecurity across the European Union (EU).

Further information:

This Strategy represents the European Union's comprehensive vision on how best to prevent and respond to cyber disruptions and attacks. This is to further European values of freedom and democracy and ensure the safe development of the digital economy. Specific actions are aimed at enhancing cyber resilience of information systems, reducing cybercrime and strengthening EU international cyber-security policy and cyber defence.

The strategy articulates the EU's vision of cyber-security in terms of five priorities:

• Achieving cyber resilience;
• Drastically reducing cybercrime;
• Developing cyber defence policy and capabilities related to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP);
• Developing the industrial and technological resources for cyber-security;
• Establishing a coherent international cyberspace policy for the European Union and promoting core EU values.

The Council of the European Union adopted a set of conclusions regarding this Joint Communication on 25 June 2013.

Official

European Commission: Digital Single Market: Policies: Cybersecurity https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/policies/cybersecurity

European Commission: Remarks by EC Vice-President Neelie Kroes - EU Cybersecurity Strategy (24 January 2013) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_13_51

European Commission: Press Release, 07/02/2013: EU Cybersecurity plan to protect open internet and online freedom and opportunity https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_13_94

European Commission: Memo, 07/02/2013: Proposed Directive on Network and Information Security – frequently asked questions https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_13_71

European Commission: Remarks by EC Vice-President Neelie Kroes - Using cybersecurity to promote European values (7 February 2013) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_13_104

European Commission: Remarks by High Representative Catherine Ashton at press conference on the launch of the EU's Cyber Security Strategy (7 February 2013) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_13_108

European Commission: Remarks by EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström - Stepping up the fight against cybercriminals to secure a free and open Internet (7 February 2013) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_13_105

EU EDA: News, 08/02/2013: European Union Strategy for Cyber Security http://www.eda.europa.eu/info-hub/press-centre/latest-news/2013/02/08/european-union-strategy-for-cyber-security

European Commission: Remarks by EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström - Delivering a cybersecurity strategy to protect an interconnected Europe (16 May 2013) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_13_423

General Secretariat of the Council: Council conclusions on the Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy joint communication on the Cybersecurity Strategy of the European Union: An Open, Safe and Secure Cyberspace (25 June 2013) https://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/jha/137602.pdf

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Commentary and Analysis

EurActiv: Policy Briefs, November 2012: Cybersecurity: Protecting the digital economy https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/linksdossier/cybersecurity-protecting-the-digital-economy/

EurActiv, 08/03/2013: Cybersecurity offers commercial opportunity, but also stokes trade tensions https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/cybersecurity-offers-commercial-opportunity-but-also-stokes-trade-tensions/

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