EU strengthens response to hybrid threats to bolster security

In recent years, the risk of hybrid threats to the EU and its Member States has increased. Today the European Commission i and High Representative i Federica Mogherini i launched a Joint Framework to counter them.

These hybrid threats are a mix of conventional and unconventional, military and non-military, overt and covert actions. They are used by State and non-State actors with the aim to sow confusion and create uncertainty whilst remaining below the threshold of formally declared warfare. Hybrid threats range from cyberattacks on critical information systems, to the disruption of critical services such as energy supplies or financial services, to undermining public trust in government institutions or exploiting social vulnerabilities.

The High Representative, Federica Mogherini explained that "in recent years, the security environment has changed dramatically. We have seen the rise of hybrid threats on EU's borders. There has been a strong call for the EU to adapt and increase its capacities as a security provider. The relationship between internal and external security needs to be further strengthened. With these new proposals, we want to enhance our capacity to counter threats of hybrid nature. In this effort, we will also step up cooperation and coordination with NATO."

The aim of this new framework is to bring together existing players, policies and tools. It aims to:

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  Raise awareness; establish ways of exchanging information between countries to deliver better strategic communication;
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  Strengthen security around critical sectors such as cybersecurity, critical infrastructures (Energy, Transport, Space), protect the financial system, protect public health, and support efforts to counter violent extremism and radicalisation;
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  Prevent, respond to crisis and recover by defining effective procedures to follow, but also by examining the applicability and practical implications of the Solidarity Clause and the mutual defence clause in case a wide-ranging and serious hybrid attack occurs;
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  Step up the cooperation between the EU and NATO and other organisations.

Elżbieta Bieńkowska i, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium underlined that “the EU must become a security provider, able to adapt, anticipate and react to the changing nature of the threats we are facing. This means enhancing our resilience and security from within while increasing our capacity to counter emerging external threats."

Insofar as countering hybrid threats relates to national security and defence, the primary responsibility lies with Member States, as most national vulnerabilities are country-specific. However, many Member States face common threats that can be more effectively addressed at the EU level.

The EU can be used as a platform to boost national efforts and establish common benchmarks that can help raise the level of protection and resilience across the EU. The Joint Framework presented today aims to improve the resilience of the EU, its Member States and our partner countries in order to prevent, respond to and recover from hybrid threats.