The EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox is a joint EU diplomatic response to malicious cyber activities. This is part of the EU’s approach to cyber diplomacy within the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and it contributes to conflict prevention, the mitigation of cybersecurity threats, and greater stability in international relations. It influences the behaviour of potential aggressors.
The EU diplomatic response to malicious cyber activities is proportionate to the scope, scale, duration, intensity, complexity, sophistication and impact of each cyber activity. All diplomatic efforts promote security and stability in cyberspace through increased international cooperation, and reduce the risk of misperception, escalation and conflict that may stem from ICT incidents.
Understanding the Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox.
On 14 March 2017, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission presented a paper on a joint EU diplomatic response to cyber operations.
The paper was examined by the Horizontal Working Party on Cyber Issues, established in 2016, responsible for coordination of Council’s work on cyber issues (mainly the cyber policy and legislative activities).
The main objectives of the Horizontal Working Party on Cyber Issues are:
– ensuring a horizontal working platform providing for harmonisation and unified approach on cyber policy issues,
– coherent progress in the cyber domain, while keeping up with cyber threats,
– identify and expand cooperation with Council preparatory bodies and other relevant actors,
– information-sharing on cyber issues both among EU countries and national bodies,
– setting EU cyber priorities and strategic objectives as part of a comprehensive policy framework,
– representation of the EU in accordance with the strategic EU cyber policy objectives.
The EU’s Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade:
- The NIS 2 Directive
- The European Cyber Resilience Act
- The Digital Operational Resilience Act
- The European Cyber Defence Policy
- The Strategic Compass of the European Union
- The European Chips Act