Protecting the cyberspace has become a major challenge for our highly connected societies in Europe. Critical sectors such as transport, energy, healthcare, the economy and finance, but also defence and, last but not least, democratic processes are increasingly dependent on digital technologies.

While digitalisation can bring enormous opportunities and solutions to many of the challenges Europe is facing, as was shown during the Covid-19 pandemic, at the same time it exposes the economy and societies to growing cyber threats and criminal activity. Massive attacks against government institutions and critical infrastructure can disrupt or even paralyse a whole country. The Russian cyber offensive against Ukraine shows that digital strikes have now become a fearsome tool in the global power play. To counter these threats effectively, the European Union needs to develop a common large-scale cybersecurity response. Even if unity on this point among EU countries is not always easy to achieve, important steps have been taken in the past years and more recently. The announced new EU policy on cyber defence is aimed at boosting the Union’s cyber defence capabilities and strengthen coordination and cooperation between military and civilian cyber communities. An Action Plan on Military Mobility 2.0 has been launched to address the deteriorating security environment following Russias aggression against Ukraine.

Having reported regularly on the topic of cybersecurity over the past decade, the 46 th edition of this magazine continues its analyses on the protection of the cyberspace in troubled times. This edition also highlights the Franco-German relationship and its value for Europe 60 years after the Elysée Treaty and reports on recent developments in European defence.