The Commission has on 17 October adopted the first implementing rules on cybersecurity of critical entities and networks under the Directive on measures for high common level of cybersecurity across the Union (NIS2 Directive). This implementing act details cybersecurity risk management measures as well as the cases in which an incident should be considered significant and companies providing digital infrastructures and services should report it to national authorities. This is another major step in boosting the cyber resilience of Europe’s critical digital infrastructure. Continue reading…

With just over a week until the compliance deadline for NIS2 hits, Andy Norton, European Cyber Risk Officer at Armis, made some remarks about it. He specifically looks at why the technical requirements of NIS2 are far from an easy tick-box exercise. Continue reading…

On 29 September, the European Commission announced €10 million in additional humanitarian aid to help people in Lebanon affected by the ongoing escalation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. This emergency funding aims to tackle the most urgent needs such as protection, food assistance, shelter and health care. The EU stands ready to provide further support by mobilising all the available emergency response tools, including via use of the Civil Protection Mechanism. Continue reading…

During a global operation, authorities from around the globe took down an encrypted communication platform used for criminal activities such as drug trafficking, homicide, corruption and money laundering. The wide scale operation, supported by Eurojust and Europol, led to over 50 arrests and the seizing of financial assets. Continue reading…

The seven members of the Eurojust-supported joint investigation team (JIT) on alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine have agreed to amend the JIT Agreement to enhance investigations on crimes of torture, ill-treatment and filtration. The JIT meeting took place in Kyiv on 10 September, just before the start of the recently held United for Justice Conference. Over the last two and a half years, the JIT’s operations have significantly strengthened the capacity of member states to investigate Russian war crimes, laying a solid legal foundation for gathering, preserving, and exchanging evidence.

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The three European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA – ESAs) have on 10 September issued their Autumn 2024 Joint Committee Report on risks and vulnerabilities in the EU financial system. The Report underlines ongoing high economic and geopolitical uncertainties. The ESAs warn national supervisors of the financial stability risks stemming from these uncertainties and call for continued vigilance from all financial market participants. For the first time, the Report also includes a cross-sectoral deep dive into credit risks in the financial sector. Continue reading…

A three-year investigation has led to the charging of three Belarusian nationals for deceitfully seizing a Polish aircraft in Belarus to arrest a dissident. The forced landing in Minsk of a commercial flight caused a direct threat to the life and health of the 132 passengers and unlawfully deprived the crew and passengers of their liberty. Eurojust supported this high-profile case from the start of the investigations by Polish and Lithuanian authorities in 2021.

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An illegal trading scheme in counterfeit and banned pesticides and fertilisers that were potentially dangerous to consumers’ health has been halted by the Romanian and Italian authorities. Eurojust and Europol supported the joint investigation team (JIT). During a series of actions in both countries, evidence of large-scale fraud, forgery and tax evasion was gathered and one suspect was arrested.

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As Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day on 24 August, the EU is reconfirming its unwavering support to the country as it defends itself against Russia, for as long as it takes. “Europe will always be at Ukraine’s side, because Ukraine is Europe,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her video message. Ukraine has now entered its third year of conflict with Russia, which illegally invaded Ukraine in February 2022.   Continue reading…

by Nadir Izrael

The 2024 Paris Olympics promises to be a spectacle of athletic prowess and global unity. Millions of fans will travel to France or be glued to their screens to witness the Olympics this Summer. In fact, it’s expected that one billion people around the world1 will watch the opening ceremony alone. Despite the excitement, however, a growing threat to the Games lurks in the shadows: cyberwarfare. It’s a growing fear of many, with 53% of global IT decision-makers2 concerned about its impact. In the context of the Olympics, the director general of ANSSI, France’s cybersecurity agency3, believes, “The Games are facing an unprecedented level of threat.” A large part of that threat is cyberwarfare. Continue reading…