Ref. Ares(2022)5039016 - 11/07/2022
Meeting with
, Microsoft
18 May 2022
Information sharing and cooperation are key to successfully preventing and combating
cybersecurity threats. The proposed Joint Cyber Unit would bring together different EU
cybersecurity communities, defence, civilian, law enforcement and diplomacy. As we
discovered with the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to respond to a cross-border crisis,
we need to rely on all available experts, crisis managers and equipment.
Security Operations Centres (SOCs):
We believe that Security Operations Centres can play a vital role in the constant and
comprehensive supervision of cyber-space, the primary way to detect cyber threats
and attacks. By relying on artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, these
Centres can detect the signs of a cyber attack early enough to allow proactive action.
The Commission has proposed to improve the existing Security Operations Centres
and create new ones. Linking them in a network, we will establish an EU cyber shield.
In 2021-2022, EUR 110 million will be dedicated to SOCs.
Cybersecurity Competence Centre and Network:
In order to better protect ourselves against cyber-attacks, it is also crucial to increase
and better target our strategic public and private investments in cybersecurity. This will
be the key task of the Cybersecurity Competence Centre in Bucharest.
The Centre will establish a strategic agenda for technology development, in close
collaboration with industry and the academic community.
In addition, the Centre is responsible for the implementation of the cybersecurity funds
of the Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programmes. This should, with the support of
the private sector, generate funding of up to EUR 4.5 billion in cybersecurity by 2027.
EU funding in cybersecurity under EU programmes:
The Commission is aware of the need for ambitious investments. Funding for
cybersecurity in the 2021-2027 EU budget is under the Digital Europe Programme, and
for cybersecurity research under Horizon Europe. This amounts to close to EUR 2
billion, which will be complemented by Member States and industry investment.
Investments in the digital technology supply chain should be at least 20% of the
Recovery and Resilience Facility, or EUR 134.5 billion out of EUR 672.5 billion.
The EU is also stepping up its offer to its partners with major investments in
infrastructure development through the EU Global Gateway. Between 2021 and 2027,
the EU will mobilise up to EUR 300 billion of investments in digital, climate and energy,
transport, health, education and research.
Under NDICI-Global Europe, with an overall budget of EUR 79 billion, investments in
building connections are expected to rise significantly. It has a 35% spending target for
climate actions and an additional 10% approximately of the total funding will be
dedicated to digital actions.
Background
Ransomware
The European police agency (Europol) is supporting ransomware investigations and, with
private sector partners, runs the ‘No More Ransom’ campaign to increase awareness
among companies and supply victims with decryption tools.
Increased threats, accompanied by high profile attacks impacting essential sectors across
the Union, has led G7 leaders to commit to action on ransomware last year and the EU to
launch a joint initiative with the United States.
Contacts – briefing contribution:
Topics for discussion
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