Issue 117
May 2023
ISSN 2315-0017
Spotlight on Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity refers to the protection of computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorised access, theft, damage, falsification, and other forms of cyber-attacks. It involves a wide range of practices and technologies, and entails establishing a cybersecurity culture among users.
As most of the storage, processing and transmission of sensitive information is now digital, and cyber threats become more frequent and complex, cybersecurity is a critical aspect of modern life. It is an essential element for ensuring the protection of EU citizens’ personal data, a domain in which the EU has some of the strongest legislation in the world. It is also crucial for the protection of critical infrastructure systems (healthcare, energy, transportation, defence) where a cyber-attack could have significant consequences for public safety and national or EU security. Likewise, cybersecurity is important to protect the EU's economy and the many businesses that contribute to it and rely on technology for their operations. Finally, it is essential for ensuring that the democratic processes of the EU and its Member States are not compromised by malicious actors.
These are some of the important reasons why the EU takes a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. This approach includes important legislative measures, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union (NIS2 Directive), and the EU Cyber Resilience Act and the EU Cyber Solidarity Act proposed by the European Commission last September and this April respectively. The EU combines these measures with work towards a framework for cybersecurity certification of products, services, and processes. The EU ensures cooperation with Member States, international organisations, and industry stakeholders to share information, best practices, and threat intelligence. It funds cybersecurity research and development. It has established the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), dedicated to achieving a high common level of cybersecurity across Europe. It has also launched other centres of expertise and capacity-building, such as the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) set up by Europol and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre that opened its doors in Bucharest this month.
This edition of our newsletter brings together a selection of EU publications about cybersecurity and what the EU does in this domain to ensure the protection of its citizens, businesses, and democracy. It also presents several publications on other interesting topics, from monetary policy to how to address bullying in schools
ENISA threat landscape 2022 PDF
Annual report July 2021 to July 2022
This is the latest annual report by ENISA on the landscape of cybersecurity threats. The report identifies top threats and attack techniques, the actors and motivation behind them, the major trends observed, as well as an analysis of their impact.
Available in English
Raising awareness of cybersecurity PDF
A key element of national cybersecurity strategies
Although cybersecurity is one of the most important challenges faced by governments today, public awareness remains limited. This often makes applying security practices difficult. By analysing best practices on raising citizens’ awareness, this report seeks to assist EU Member States in further building their cybersecurity capacities.
Available in English
Cyber resilience act PDF
New EU cybersecurity rules ensure more secure hardware and software products
Last September, the Commission presented a proposal for a new Cyber Resilience Act, which is to be the first-ever EU-wide legislation of its kind. The proposed act introduces mandatory cybersecurity requirements for hardware and software products, throughout their whole life cycle, and is intended to protect consumers and businesses from products with inadequate security features. Find out more in this factsheet.
Available in English, French and German
Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and cybersecurity PDF
Threat landscape
The EU Agency for Cybersecurity and the European External Action Service have joined forces to study and analyse the threat landscape concerning information manipulation, interference, and disinformation by foreign centres. The report proposes and tests an analytical approach describing these threats, as well as the underlying cybersecurity elements.
Available in English
Digital resilience PDF
In the spring of 2007, Estonia’s public services were under cyber-attacks for three weeks. This event is likely to have incited several EU national governments to address possible vulnerabilities in their internet-based services. Such incidences made it evident that there is a need to associate digitalisation with information security. This study investigates the state of play of digital resilience in local and regional authorities across the EU.
Available in English
Hybrid threats PDF/Paper
A Comprehensive Resilience Ecosystem
Several case studies show that the common denominator of hybrid threat actors is their desire to undermine or harm democratically established governments, countries, or alliances. The overarching aim of these actors is to constrain the freedom of manoeuvre of democracies in order to discredit the democratic model or gain other advantages for authoritarian regimes. The seven case studies presented in this report demonstrate the extent to which hybrid threat activity can undermine and weaken the foundations of a well-functioning democratic ecosystem.
Available in English
Also out recently
Atlas of migration 2022 PDF
Following a significant decline in the number of international migrants in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, international migration rebounded in 2021 and appears to have continued its upward trend in 2022, according to available data. The Atlas of Migration simplifies this global migration data to guide policymakers, researchers, and the public through the complexities of international migration. This latest edition features a thematic section with valuable insights into the displacement of individuals from Ukraine because of Russia's aggression.
Available in English
Key data on teaching languages at school in Europe PDF
2023 edition
The 2023 edition of this annual report depicts the main education policies related to the teaching of languages in schools in 39 European education systems. It answers questions about the number and range of foreign languages studied by students, the instruction time dedicated to foreign language teaching, the language support provided for newly arrived migrant students, the transnational mobility of foreign language teachers and many other topics.
Available in English
Digital Euro PDF
An assessment of the first two progress reports: the case for unlimited holdings of digital euros
The growing popularity of cryptocurrencies has prompted central banks around the world to accelerate the development of their own digital currencies. The European Central Bank plans to introduce a limited version of a digital euro that would cap the maximum amounts of digital euros that individuals can hold. This paper challenges the assumption that such caps are needed in the interest of financial stability. Further, it argues that a correctly designed digital Euro could be a catalyst for greater financial inclusion, a means to ease the transition to cashless societies, a tool to increase the effectiveness of monetary policy implementation, and even an instrument to rival the dominance of the US dollar in international trade and financing.
Available in English
In your language
The European Parliament PDF
The voice of citizens in the European Union
The European Parliament is directly elected by the citizens of the European Union. Its core purpose is to represent you and stand up for your views on the European stage. It acts as a co-legislator, sharing with the Council the power to adopt and amend legislative proposals and to decide on the EU budget. Find out more about what the European Parliament does in this publication
Available in all official languages of the EU
Yooki and the Union of the Forest PDF
Are you a primary school teacher looking for child-friendly and ready-to-use resources to teach your pupils the basics about the European Union? Introduce them to Yooki the firefly and his animal friends. As this illustrated story follows the adventures of our little hero, it relates the creation of the EU using imagery and metaphor. The story is designed to explain to pupils aged 7 to 9 what the European Union is and why it was created and introduces them to concepts such as peace, compromise, and conflict resolution. The accompanying educational package also includes an activity book, a teacher's guide, and a map of the EU.
Available in all official languages of the EU
How to get the most out of EU information PDF
EU information and data in all official EU languages
The mission of the Publications Office of the European Union is to ensure that EU information and data are available, accessible, and reusable for citizens, businesses, and public administrations all over the EU and beyond. The Office is, therefore, the central access point to EU law and case-law, procurement notices, publications, apps, open data, research results, official contact information and much more. With this brochure, we want to help you to make the most of this wealth of data and information available at your fingertips.
Available in all official languages of the EU
Research and innovation
CORDIS results pack on social innovation PDF/Paper
Social innovations are inventive responses that provide solutions to unmet social problems and needs, nurture social relationships and build new collaborations. These innovations can be products, services or models that address societal, business, and governmental needs more effectively. This Results Pack highlights 10 projects supported through Horizon 2020 that illustrate the value and broad scope of social innovation.
Available in English
(Individual article also available in English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish on the CORDIS website)
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Public procurement of innovation PDF
How do start-ups fit in: a brochure for public buyers
This brochure is part of the European Commission's efforts to further enhance public procurement practices and foster sustainable economic recovery through innovation. The brochure aims at encouraging the integration of innovative suppliers and start-ups in public procurement procedures. It highlights the potential for public demand to drive innovation in the EU and presents various initiatives aimed at supporting the integration of innovative products and services in public procurement.
Available in English
The amazing adventures of Syrgo and BC PDF
Vol-1, Vaccines
This comic introduces two superheroes, Syrgo and BC, who battle against members of the viral gang and their bacterial companions. Throughout the story, our heroes share insights into vaccines - how they function, and how vaccination has saved countless lives by making it increasingly challenging for the viral gang and their bacteria cohorts to harm humans.
Available in English, French, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish and Ukrainian
What motivates children who bully, and can they change? PDF
Bullying is a phenomenon that many of us, or people close to us, have experienced at some point in our lives, whether it's at school or in similar environments. This factsheet summarises several findings related to bullying, including what motivates children to bully others, how bullies can be popular, common traits of bullies, and what schools can do to prevent bullying
Available in English
Our news
On 9 May, people across the EU celebrated Europe Day. This day marks Europe’s unity and achievements, and commemorates the anniversary of the historic Schuman declaration, considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.
Explore what the EU does and means in your language, through our dedicated collection on the EU Publications website! There you can also find collections on Facts about EU, The Green Deal & energy, and Education material. The collection is part of the 'In your language' section that features publications available in all the official languages of the EU and is regularly updated.
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