The West’s Confusion over Russia’s Cyberwars

Background

The European Union aims to strengthen its cyber security rules in order to tackle the increasing threat posed by cyber attacks as well as to take advantage of the opportunities of the new digital age.

On 19-20 October 2017, the European Council asked for the adoption of a common approach to EU cyber security following the reform package proposed by the European Commission in September 2017.

This reform aims to build on the measures put in place by the cyber security strategy and its main pillar, the directive on security of network and information systems - the NIS directive.

The proposal sets out new initiatives such as:

+ building a stronger EU cyber security agency
+ introducing an EU-wide cyber security certification scheme
+ swiftly implementing the NIS directive.

EU leaders regard cyber security reform as one of the main ongoing aspects on the road to completing the EU digital single market. Theauthor argued that the West’s approach to Russian cyberwarfare was foundering. Many Western governments appeared immobilised by the fear of escalatory counterattacks, but this was surrendering to Moscow.

LSE European Institute: EuroppBlog, 16.01.18: How coherent is EU cybersecurity policy? http://www.europeansources.info/record/how-coherent-is-eu-cybersecurity-policy/

Council of the European Union: Policies: Reform of cyber security in Europe http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/cyber-security/

German Institute for International and Security Affairs: SWP Comments No.47, November 2017: The EU’s Revised Cybersecurity Strategy: Half-Hearted Progress on Far-Reaching Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-eus-revised-cybersecurity-strategy-half-hearted-progress-on-far-reaching-challenges/

ESO: Find more information in ESO on cyber security http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=cyber%20security%20&searchTerm

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