On 27 February, research fellow Piret Pernik called for greater cyber security awareness and political coordination within Europe in remarks at a seminar entitled From Cyber Security to Cyber Defence in Brussels.
Sharing lessons learned from Estonia’s experience with cyber aspects of crisis management, Pernik recommended that the EU develop action plans mapping strategic level actors, actions, and decisions that would facilitate a joint response to a cyber attack against an EU member state. At the strategic level, she argued, cyber situational awareness must be improved by practical instruments, including determining the available sources of data, minimum sharing requirements & formats, and the like. A gradual approach, beginning by sharing less sensitive information, would facilitate building trust and confidence through increased positive interactions. Pernik also advocated establishing ways of supporting information sharing and analysis efforts in the private sector, especially in small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Held at the Permanent Representation of Finland to the European Union, the seminar gathered 90 participants representing ministries, permanent representations, and academic institutions from various EU member states as well as officials from EU institutions.