18
Apr
2023
Watch
Adoption of the Cyber package proposals (debate)
Madam President, Mr Vice-President Schinas, Commissioner Breton, EUR 5 500 billion: This is the cost of cybercrime in 2021. Impressive numbers, behind which are often hidden attacks not by loose dogs, but by hackers in the pay of Russia, China, Iran. Autocracies that, through this new form of hybrid warfare, aim to undermine the security of our infrastructure, drown our companies and destabilize our society. A threat that Member States cannot defend themselves against, because Europe's security depends on the security of the weakest link in the chain. In recent years we have understood this and for this reason we have equipped ourselves with an important legislative framework, from the NIS to the European Cybersecurity Act and now the Cyber Resilience Act. A legislative framework that must also see the strengthening of the Community institutions, starting with ENISA, to create a minimum level of security throughout the European Union. We therefore welcome the proposal for a cyber solidarity act, which seems to go in the desired direction, including through the creation of a pan-European cyber shield. But there is a fundamental precondition without which Europe cannot think of facing this challenge, and it is that of skills. We must invest in training, especially among young people, to ensure that competent professionals can meet the ever-increasing need for companies and institutions. We can turn this threat into a great employment and business opportunity. This is why the European Skills Academy is a key element of our digital strategy and will need to be provided with a financial allocation commensurate with the scale of the challenge. Let me conclude with a warning. Be careful to think that it is enough to invest only in high-level skills. It is also necessary to develop a widespread cybersecurity culture in all sections of the population, involving schools, universities, local authorities, training institutes, so that each of us can equip ourselves with the tools necessary to defend ourselves against this hybrid war that some countries have declared to us.