EU’s cyberspace policy is missing the offensive capabilities, which can be deployed by one or more Member States, but not under the EU’s umbrella, warns EPP MEP Ramona Mănescu, in a statement given the context of the ”politics in digital era” debate, one of the themes brought forward by Bucharest Forum 2017.
”In the area of cyber security, the EU has already adopted three pieces of legislation. 1. NIS Directive – provides legal measures to increase the level of cybersecurity in the EU, by increasing the cybersecurity capabilities in the Member States. 2. General Data Protection Regulation – which is scheduled to enter into force in 2018. This Regulation will uphold EU citizens’ rights and values through protective measures in all the online activities. 3. Article 222 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 42 (7) of the Treaty on European Union – they both refer to the Solidarity Clause – cooperation among the Member States and their response capabilities in the case of a cyber-attack (like the one which affected Estonia in 2007). Unfortunately, both articles function just in relation with the consequences of a cyber-attack and they can’t be activated in case of an attack.”, said the Romanian MEP for Calea Europeană.
”The EU’s cybersecurity policy is diverging from the similar policies around the world. We are not developing a strong offensive cyber power, in line with the logic of national security and superiority, but rather we are focusing on soft power, such as capacity building, detection and response. What it is missing in EU’s cyberspace policy are the offensive capabilities, which can be deployed by one or more Member States, but not under the EU’s umbrella. According with the Council’s annual report on the Common Foreign and Security Policy addressed to the European Parliament, EU’s main focus in cyber defense is the development of training capacity, while the operational level is left behind.
I consider that we should not overlook the development of cyber operational capabilities, including offensive ones and Romania, for sure, can be a part of this effort. It has the know-how and the human resources to do so. Till then, Romania, the same with the other Member States, must be ready today to implement and apply the three pieces of legislation I’ve mentioned above.”, according to Ramona Mănescu.
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