The European Cyber Agora is a multi-stakeholder platform bridging the gap between government, civil society and industry across Europe to shape the European cybersecurity policy agenda and identify European perspectives on global cybersecurity policy debates. It promotes collaboration across sectors including diverse voices and contributes to evidence-based cybersecurity policymaking through research-based and outcome-oriented engagement. Launched by Microsoft in conjunction with key stakeholders in the cybersecurity domain, the European Cyber Agora is supported by EU Cyber Direct, the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Carnegie Europe, Leiden University, the Cyber Policy Institute, Chatham House, KPMG, the University of Ljubljana, the Information Security Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, and the EU’s CYDIPLO network.
The first European Cyber Agora convened for an online event on June 2-3, 2021. The event featured workshops on topics such as the 5G toolbox, cybersecurity aspects of digital sovereignty, the nexus between healthcare and cyber security and European views on emerging technologies, in the hope of producing tangible guidelines to support the implementation of the EU Cybersecurity Strategy. Interested stakeholders are encouraged to get involved in the development of these dedicated workshops to help Europe deliver on its cyber ambitions, and more information on how to join the community can be found on the European Cyber Agora website.
EU Cyber Direct and the EU institute for Security Studies hosted two workshops:
Session on International Cyber Capacity Building: future scenarios and an EU redux
Overview
As the EU unfolds its vision for a “digital decade”, the implementation of its 2020 Cybersecurity Strategy is a timely opportunity to reaffirm and refresh the EU’s approach to international cyber capacity building. This session will explore: how this young field of global cooperation is evolving; the directions it might take in the future; and how the EU could respond to the opportunities and challenges these scenarios present. In a world shaped by digitalisation and competing visions over digital governance, the EU’s approach to cyber capacity building must evolve if it is to keep pace with global cyber threats and shifts in the capacity building ecosystem.ChairsRobert Collett, Non-resident fellow, affiliated with the EUISSNayia Barmpaliou, Non-resident fellow, affiliated with the EUISS
Session on the UN Programme of Action: can the EU drive regionalised multilateralism?
Overview
The European Union Cybersecurity Strategy makes a clear commitment to the idea of a UN-led Programme of Action for advancing responsible State behaviour in cyberspace (PoA). Its sponsors acknowledge the need for a regular institutional dialogue that provides the adequate conditions for inclusive and transparent exchange among states while at the same time building a strong political commitment. However, the support for this idea is not universal and many questions are still open concerning the organizational aspects and concrete goals for the PoA. With its focus on strengthening multilateralism and rules-based international order, what role can the EU play in steering the PoA process, in particular regarding the contribution by regional organisations?
Chair
Patryk Pawlak, EUISS Brussels Executive Officer and Project Coordinator for EU Cyber Direct
