EU Cybersecurity Proposals

EU issued a set of cybersecurity proposals, including a new cybersecurity strategy in the form of a joint communication titled “Resilience, Deterrence and Defence: Building strong cybersecurity for the EU’. This strategy is found here. Greg Day, VP and Chief Security Officer (CSO) EMEA at Palo Alto Networks commented below.

Greg Day, VP and Chief Security Officer (CSO) EMEA at Palo Alto Networks:

 “Recent incidents have confirmed that not only do we have an increasing dependency on digital alternatives of physical processes to access a service or buy goods, but there is a significant impact that can occur when these virtual digital processes fail. Recent ransomware attacks have highlighted many unintended consequences when the technologies underpinning our digital existence fail or are suddenly inaccessible. As our society and economy digitises more ways of life more pervasively, cybersecurity must continue to adapt and evolve at the same pace to embrace the opportunities that technology enables.

Palo Alto Networks welcomes the European Commission’s new set of cybersecurity policy proposals, including a new cybersecurity strategy for the EU. We particularly welcome the focus on protection and prevention of cyberattacks, as embodied in the strategy’s title, “Resilience, Deterrence and Defence: Building strong cybersecurity for the EU.” Companies in Europe, across all sectors, must ensure their business are resilient to cyberattacks as they embrace the digital world, EU governments need secure online operations, and consumers need trust in their online experiences. The EU understands that cybersecurity is essential to economic activity and growth as well as to the user confidence in online activities that underpins it.

In recent years, the EU has undertaken several substantive cybersecurity-related activities, including finalising the NIS Directive and GDPR. Initial review of the documents uncover a clear intent to build upon those efforts. Some plans in the strategy, such as increasing cybersecurity-related training, stepping up law enforcement activities, and accelerating cyberthreat information sharing, are essential steps. We look forward to reviewing the strategy and other documents in detail and determining how we can support and contribute to Europe’s digital innovation plans and cybersecurity goals.”