Cybersecurity

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Cyber package: EU steps up fight against cyber attacks
The EU Commission on Tuesday unveiled a new legislative package aimed at stepping up the EU’s fight against cyberattacks. With the package, the Union is showing how it can “build the infrastructures, competencies and capacities through solidarity” to jointly arm itself against cybersecurity threats, Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager said in Strasbourg. Private companies are […] continue reading →
Europol warns against misuse of ChatGPT
European police agency Europol has warned against the misuse of chatbots by criminals. The technology could also be used for fraud, misinformation and cybercrime, the agency warned in a report published Monday in The Hague. Europol experts had examined ChatGPT for possibilities of misuse.ChatGPT’s ability to create very realistic texts makes it a useful tool […] continue reading →
CSAM: Germany sharply criticizes Johansson proposal
Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson wants to obligate providers of online and telecommunication services to screen content for possible depictions of child sexual abuse (CSAM). It was clear from the start that the plan would be controversial – but harsh criticism is now also coming from unexpected sides. continue reading →
EU creates new center against disinformation
The EU wants to counter Chinese and Russian disinformation campaigns more effectively with a new platform. A newly created “Information Sharing and Analysis Centre” within the Diplomatic Service of the European Union (EEAS) will track disinformation from outside the EU and also coordinate with the 27 member states and civil society actors, EU chief diplomat […] continue reading →
Undersea cables: fear of attack at the bottom of the sea
The economic and geopolitical importance of undersea data cables is growing. But so far, their protection has been inadequate. More and more nations are reacting, and experts see an urgent need for action. continue reading →
EU Defense Fund: over 100 applications for research projects
Europe’s defense industry has responded with keen interest to the second call for proposals from the European Defense Fund (EDF): The EU Commission reported 134 applications for joint research projects after the application deadline at the end of November.A total of €924 million is available from the Defense Fund to support the projects. The Commission […] continue reading →
Attack on EP website during Russia resolution
On Wednesday afternoon, the European Parliament's website was attacked while a debate on Russia's attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine was still underway. By the evening, the attack was considered to have been averted, but parliamentarians are now discussing whether the EP is sufficiently protected. continue reading →
EU looks on: spyware scandal in Greece
Greece is rocked by a wiretapping scandal: The Predator spyware was allegedly used against members, employees and opponents of the government. After the Pegasus revelations in Poland, France, Spain and Hungary, this is the next big scandal. The EU institutions are helpless. continue reading →
NIS2 officially passed in parliament
The revision and extension of the Network and Information Security Directive NIS for cybersecurity has been approved by a large majority in parliament. “Even though it is the best cybersecurity legislation the continent has seen so far, we should not congratulate ourselves too much,” EP rapporteur Bart Groothuis (VVD/Renew) warned in plenary. Russia does not […] continue reading →
Cyber defense: Brussels sounds the alarm
Germany and the other EU states must do more to defend against threats in cyberspace, the EU Commission demands. However, a new strategy remains vague and ambivalent on important issues. continue reading →
Faeser releases BSI President Schönbohm
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) banned the President of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), Arne Schönbohm, from conducting official business. Schönbohm has been Head of the Bonn-based agency responsible for IT security since 2016 but is not a so-called political official who could be put into temporary retirement at any time.The reasons […] continue reading →
EU strategy: China increasingly becoming a competitor
The China strategy of the European Union is from 2019 – since then, the relationship between Brussels and Beijing has deteriorated noticeably. The EU wants to stick to the three-part assessment of China as partner, competitor and systemic rival. However, the middle part increasingly shifts into the focus of the relationship. A new, clear assessment by the European External Action Service also recommends this. continue reading →
BSI President tumbles over lack of distance to Russia
“All options are being examined,” the spokesman for German Home Secretary Nancy Faeser (SPD) confirmed again this late Sunday evening: Arne Schönbohm, head of the largest cybersecurity agency in Europe, must fear being recalled due to a ZDF report. He is accused of lacking distance from Russian intelligence circles.The matter is also observed with interest […] continue reading →
Cyber Resilience Act: to the last washing machine
The EU Commission has presented its next digital act: On Tuesday, the cabinet approved its proposal for better cybersecurity of networked devices. The problem is not new, but the way it is to be solved remains controversial. continue reading →
Electricity crisis: EU Greens want incentives for load management
The Greens want to focus more on shifting consumption over time as a means of countering high electricity prices. “A savings target for electricity would be even more effective if all consumers shifted their electricity consumption away from peak hours, especially weekday evenings, to reduce costs for everyone on average,” said the group’s coordinator in […] continue reading →
Cyberattacks resulted in €203 billion in damages
German companies are urging policymakers to provide better protection against cyberattacks. In a representative survey commissioned by the digital association Bitkom, almost all participating companies (98 percent) stated that they would welcome greater commitment to increased EU-wide cooperation on cybersecurity. Almost as many are voicing demands that politics should take stronger action against foreign cyberattacks. […] continue reading →
SMEs and start-ups want to help shape the EU communications network in space
With the Secure Connectivity Initiative, the EU plans a sovereign satellite communications network that will also function during crises. But will young, innovative companies also get a chance to participate in the €6 billion project? continue reading →
Google: Cell phones spied on with Italian spy software
According to Google, there has been a hacking attack on cell phones in Italy and Kazakhstan, reminiscent of the use of the Pegasus spy software. Apple and Android smartphones were affected by the attack using hacking tools from Italian company RCS Lab, Google announced on Thursday. Programs from the Milan-based company could read private messages […] continue reading →