Cybersecurity is an essential part of EU defence

EU member states are increasingly recognizing that cybersecurity is a critical component of both economic resilience and national security. As highlighted by analysts like Glen Hodgson, the security landscape has evolved beyond traditional military threats, now encompassing cyber espionage, ransomware, and infrastructure sabotage. The modern security environment blurs the lines between military and civilian concerns, as essential services—including power grids, financial systems, hospitals, and ports—rely on interconnected digital infrastructure.

The scope of this challenge is substantial. According to ENISA’s 2025 Threat Landscape, ransomware remains the most impactful cyber threat, with public administration being the most targeted sector. Furthermore, 73% of targeted organizations are classified as essential or important entities under the EU’s NIS2 framework.

The economic implications are profound; historical data indicates that cyber attacks cost major EU economies hundreds of billions of euros. This growing threat is compounded by the linkage of physical and digital operations, a lesson underscored by the war in Ukraine. Looking ahead, the threat surface is expanding due to cloud computing, remote work, and artificial intelligence.

AI is lowering the cost and increasing the sophistication of attacks, enabling attackers to create highly convincing phishing campaigns and generate synthetic media. Key vulnerabilities include supply chain dependencies, compromised third-party providers, and identity theft, with phishing remaining a leading entry point for intrusions. Experts emphasize that cybersecurity is no longer merely an IT issue but a core business resilience concern.

Organizations must address governance gaps, resource shortages, and the technical complexity posed by automated, self-modifying malware to effectively secure their operations.

Topics: #cybersecurity #glen #hodgson