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 organised the workshop “Tackling the Issue of Cyber Mercenaries Through the Pall Mall Process.”
The session addressed the growing phenomenon of cyber mercenaries, examining the risks they pose to global cybersecurity, state accountability, and the development of international norms. The discussion centered around the Pall Mall process and how it can be one of the tools for addressing the phenomenon. What practical cooperations are needed to drive the objectives of the recently announced Code of Practice, signed by 21 states.
Speakers:
Joana De Deus Pereira, UN Mandate Holder, Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries
Fanta Orr, Director, Digital Diplomacy, Microsoft
Mahé Dersoir, Policy Officer, International Cyber Policy Unit, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Elizabeth Venn, UK Diplomat & First Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) & UK Mission to the EU (UKMis)
Stéphane Duguin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Cyber Peace Institute
Moderator:
Pablo Rice, Head of Programme, Cyber and Emerging Technologies Governance, Paris Peace Forum
EU Cyber Direct – EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative was proud to partner this year with Microsoft and the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
