Why cybersecurity in the EU should matter to you 

From stolen data to blocked hospital systems: cyberattacks can have perilous consequences. Learn more about cybersecurity and its importance, Society.

The digital transformation of the economy and society has accelerated in recent years, creating opportunities as well as challenges. By 2030, 125 billion devices could be connected to the internet, up from 27 billion in 2017 while 90% of people over six are expected to be online. As cyberspace is by design interconnected and digital and physical are increasingly intertwined, new dangers emerge.

Definitions 

• Cyberattacks are attempts to misuse information, by stealing, destroying or exposing it and they aim to disrupt or destroy computer systems and networks 
• Cybersecurity includes information and communication security, operational technology and the IT platforms required to ensure the safety of digital systems 
• Cyberdefence includes cybersecurity and threat analyses and strategies to protect against threats directed at citizens, institutions and governments 

Cyber threats in the EU: Personal and societal costs

The use of digital solutions has long been on the rise and teleworking, online shopping and keeping in touch online rose sharply during lockdown. These solutions can benefit consumers and support the economy and the post-Covid recovery. However, there has been a corresponding increase in malicious cyber activities. 22.3 billion Estimate of the number internet of things devices in use by 2024

Attackers may use phishing websites and emails with malicious links and attachments to steal banking information or blackmail organisations after blocking their IT systems and data.

A secure cyberspace is the basis for the EU's digital single market: enabling solutions and unlocking its full potential by making people confident online. The 2019 Digital Economy and Society Index showed that security concerns limited or prevented 50% of EU internet users from performing online activities. The 2020 index indicated  that 39% of EU citizens who used the internet experienced security-related problems.

Learn more about how to protect yourself from cybercrime and what the main and emerging cybersecurity threats are.

€5.5 trillion   Annual cost of cybercrime to the global economy in 2020, which is double that of 2015 (estimate by the European Commission)

The damage caused by cyberattacks goes beyond the economy and finance, affecting the very democratic foundations of the EU and threatening the basic functioning of society.

Essential services and critical sectors such as transport, energy, health and finance, have become increasingly dependent on digital technologies. This, together with the increase in physical objects connected to the Internet of things, can have direct consequences, including making cybersecurity a matter of life and death.

From cyberattacks on hospitals, causing them to postpone urgent medical procedures, to attacks on power grids and water supply - attackers are threatening the supply of essential services. And as cars and homes become increasingly connected, they could be threatened or exploited in unforeseen ways.

Cyberattacks, deployed with for example disinformation, economic pressure and conventional armed attacks, are testing the resilience of democratic states and institutions, directly targeting peace and security in the EU.

Cybersecurity in the EU

Businesses and organisations in the EU spend significantly less on cybersecurity than their US counterparts. The European Union has been working to strengthen cybersecurity. In May 2022 Parliament and Council negotiators reached an agreement on the NIS2 Directive, which are comprehensive rules to strengthen EU-wide resilience.

"We need to act and make our businesses, governments and society more resilient to hostile cyber operations,” said Bart Groothuis (Renew, the Netherlands), the MEP responsible for steering the new rules through Parliament.

Check out more on how the EU shapes the digital world

• EU Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act explained
• The European strategy for data
• Regulating and taking advantage of artificial intelligence

Read more about cybersecurity in the EU 

• The NIS2 directive: a high common level of cybersecurity in the EU  
• The EU’s Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade 
• EU cyber-defence capabilities 
• Digital transformation 
• Digital transformation: importance, benefits and EU policy
• Cryptocurrency dangers and the benefits of EU legislation
• Cybersecurity: main and emerging threats in 2021 (infographic)
• Why cybersecurity in the EU should matter to you 
• Roam like at home: roaming rules extended for 10 more years
• How the Parliament wants to boost cybersecurity in the EU (interview)
• Why does the EU want to regulate the platform economy?
• New EU consumer protection rules to tackle misleading and unfair practices
• Social media and democracy: we need laws, not platform guidelines
• MEPs' ideas for tackling harmful or illegal content online
• EU Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act explained
• Facebook whistleblower testifies in European Parliament
• AI rules: what the European Parliament wants
• Big data: definition, benefits, challenges (infographics)
• The future of AI: the Parliament's road map for the EU
• European strategy for data: what MEPs want
• Data governance: why is the EU data sharing law important?
• New rules to facilitate EU crowdfunding
• New EU rules: digitalisation to improve access to justice
• Gig economy: EU law to improve workers’ rights (infographic)
• Parliament wants to ensure the right to disconnect from work

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