On 22 October 2025, as part of the Accountability and Deterrence Workstream at the European Cyber Agora 2025, EU Cyber Direct – EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative hosted the workshop “Strengthening Europe’s Cyber Defence through EU-NATO Collaboration.”
The session focused on the practical steps necessary to transform strategic frameworks into concrete actions, enhancing Europe's cyber defense capabilities. Building upon insights from prior workshops, the conversation explored how the European Union and NATO can operationalise their cooperation to effectively deter and respond to cyber threats.
The discussion highlighted the pivotal role of public-private partnerships, involving the private sector, non-profits, academia, and civil society, in fortifying attribution processes and developing robust deterrence mechanisms. Panelists shared experiences, best practices, and propose actionable strategies to ensure Europe remains resilient and prepared in the face of evolving cyber challenges.
Speakers:
Barbara Gallo, Head of Division, Hybrid Threats and Cyber, European External Action Service (EEAS)
Ben Hiller, Head of Cyber Strategy and Policy, NATO
Max Smeets, Co-Director, Virtual Routes
Moderator:
James Sullivan, Director of Cyber and Tech, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
EU Cyber Direct – EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative was proud to partner this year with Microsoft and the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
