Belgian defense minister says European militaries wishing to cooperate must ensure their cyber defense technologies and methods are compatible Ludivin Dedonder warned on Wednesday (January 17).
“The interoperability of European forces today is more than ever conditioned by interoperability in cyberspace,” Dedonder said at an event with European Union cyber ambassadors and commanders in Brussels. said.
Asked if he was concerned about the current geopolitical situation and Belgium’s capabilities compared to the US, China and Russia, Dedonder told reporters such as Euractic: “Cyber threats are a concern.” said.
The principle of interoperability states that defense equipment (ammunition, tanks, radios, etc.) between cooperating national militaries should be able to easily coordinate and use together in order to function more effectively on the battlefield.
As the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank highlights in a study, the cyber environment is constantly introducing new technologies, software, and methodologies, and building interoperability between all users is essential. is becoming increasingly difficult.
“It is essential today to translate the principle of interoperability of our military’s equipment into a cyber dimension,” Dedonder said in his speech, adding that high technology “today affects all of our weapons and communications systems.” “It’s equipped,” he said.
“We must act,” Dedonder urged.
Dedner told Euractic that technology “could be a way for potential adversaries to undermine or attack us,” stressing that “it’s all about everything.” [about this is] This has led to disinformation and manipulation of public opinion. ”
“With elections coming up, special attention is being paid especially to domestic votes that will take place at the same time as the European elections in June,” she said.
“Cyberdefense is no longer just a military issue; it has become a social issue,” she said before a panel of military officers. “Building a strong European fortress will protect our democracies from disinformation and cyberattack attempts.”
An EU diplomat familiar with the matter said the need to strengthen cyber defense was also evident in the Ukraine war, where both traditional and technology-based weapons were shown to be used by both sides.
EU lacks action
However, the EU’s cyber defense efforts have so far been limited.
The European Commission proposed a cyber defense strategy in autumn 2022, including a cyber technology roadmap, and called for additional investments and cyber defense training programmes. However, member states have shown little interest.
The idea of establishing a “cyber shield” dates back to the 2020 Cybersecurity Strategy, and the idea of a cyber army was abandoned.
The EU’s first military strategy, the Strategic Compass, includes a desire to “further develop EU cyber defence”, but provides no further explanation of how this will be done.
The Belgian Cyber Army and the future cyber forces of the Armed Forces “are the driving force behind this vision” [for enhanced civil-military cooperation and the working with partners] It is about integrating national defense efforts with those of the European Union to form a cyber shield,” De Donder said in his speech.
Some EU member states cooperate on joint military projects under the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and have developed several cyber-related projects for joint exercises and information sharing.
Asked about how Brussels’ approach is being discussed with partner countries, and about plans to highlight the topic under Belgium’s Council Presidency, Dedonder said that Belgium’s Cyber Command is being discussed with other countries. They have had “many exchanges” and the topic of cyber defense is a “priority” for the Presidency, although it is already “constantly touched upon” in discussions at EU level.
[Edited by Nathalie Weatherald]
