The European Union as a Cybersecurity Actor

Abstract

The working paper discusses the challenges facing the European Union as it seeks to become a more active player in the field of cybersecurity. It outlines the concept of cybersecurity and the various approaches to cybersecurity governance. It then discusses the EU’s approach to cybersecurity issues, focusing on three elements: cybercrime, network and information security, and cyber-defence. Although a relative newcomer on the scene, the EU has made strides towards establishing a coherent policy framework across these areas. The EU is also developing a role in cyber defence, a field that has been largely left to the Member States. It finally analyses the external dimension of cybersecurity policy, and argues that the EU can influence the development of international norms. EU policy must also deal with the political and diplomatic dimension, especially as threats of state-sponsored cyber attacks increase.