Today, the European Commission presents ProtectEU – a European Internal Security Strategy to support Member States and enhance the EUs capacity to ensure citizen security. The strategy offers an ambitious plan for the coming years with better legal tools, improved information sharing, and deeper cooperation.
In a changing security environment and evolving geopolitical landscape, where hybrid threats by hostile foreign states and state-sponsored actors are increasing, and powerful organized crime networks are expanding with criminals and terrorists operating more online, Europe must review its internal security approach. Announced by President von der Leyen in the political guidelines, the Strategy will enhance the Unions response to new and traditional threats to internal security.
The Strategy aims to foster a culture change in internal security with a whole-of-society approach involving citizens, businesses, researchers, and civil society. Security aspects will be mainstreamed in the development of new initiatives, and a new European internal security governance framework will support the Strategys implementation.
As Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated: “Safety is one of the key prerequisites for open, vibrant societies and a flourishing economy. That is why we are launching today an important initiative to better tackle security threats like terrorism, organized crime, rising cybercrime, and attacks on our critical infrastructure. We will strengthen Europol and provide law enforcement with up-to-date tools to fight crime. But researchers, businesses, and even citizens can also contribute to greater safety for all.”
The European Internal Security Strategy complements the Preparedness Union Strategy and the European Defence White Paper. Together with the forthcoming European Democracy Shield, they form a comprehensive framework for a safe, secure, and resilient EU.
Key objectives and actions
A new European internal security governance
The new threat landscape requires a change in mindset and an upgraded EU approach to internal security:
- Identifying security and preparedness implications of Commission initiatives from the start and throughout the negotiation process,
- Regular threat analyses related to internal security to support the work of the Security College and exchanges in the Council,
- Regular reporting to the European Parliament and the Council to track and support the implementation of key initiatives.
Anticipating security threats through new ways of sharing intelligence
As security begins with effective anticipation, the EU must rely on high-quality situational awareness and threat analysis:
- Developing regular overviews of the EU internal security threat landscape, building on various risk and threat assessments done notably by EU agencies,
- Enhancing intelligence sharing by Member States with the EUs Single Intelligence Analysis Capacity (SIAC),
- Ensuring better information sharing by Member States with EU agencies and bodies.
More effective tools for law enforcement and stronger JHA agencies
Law enforcement needs the right tools to be effective. And with 85% of criminal investigations relying on digital information, this includes lawful access to data:
- A new mandate for Europol to transform it into a truly operational police agency to reinforce support to Member States,
- Strengthening Frontex, Eurojust, and ENISA and ensuring close cooperation between agencies,
- Enhancing operational capabilities with a new Critical Communication system to allow for cross-border communication between different authorities,
- A Roadmap on lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement,
- A Technology Roadmap on encryption, and an impact assessment with a view to updating the EUs data retention rules.
Building resilience against hybrid threats
The EU must enhance its resilience against hybrid threats by protecting critical infrastructure, reinforcing cybersecurity, and combating online threats:
- Member States to fully implement the CER and NIS2 Directives,
- A new Cybersecurity Act, and new measures to secure cloud and telecom services and developing technological sovereignty,
- Measures to reduce dependencies on single foreign suppliers and de-risk our supply chains from high-risk suppliers including revision of procurement rules,
- Reinforce the security of transport hubs, with an EU Ports Strategy, and new reporting systems to strengthen aviation security, transport, and supply chains,
- An Action Plan against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
Fighting serious and organized crime
Stronger rules are needed to fight organized crime networks. Law enforcement must be able to go after their money. Children must be better protected from organized crime:
- A new legal framework on organized crime, with stronger rules on investigations,
- A new Strategy and Action Plan on Drugs and Drugs Trafficking,
- An Action Plan on the Protection of Children against Crime,
- Strengthening the ‘Follow the Money approach, including by full transposition of the new rules on asset recovery and confiscation,
- New legislation against firearms trafficking; new EU Strategies on Trafficking in Human Beings and on Victims Rights.
Combatting terrorism and violent extremism
With the terrorist threat level in the EU remaining high, the EU needs to be well-equipped to anticipate threats, prevent radicalization, protect citizens, and respond to attacks:
- A new EU Agenda on preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism,
- A new toolbox to prevent radicalization,
- Feasibility study for a new EU-wide system to track terrorist financing.
The EU as a strong global player on security
To counteract the impact of global instability, the EU needs to actively defend its security interests beyond its borders by boosting international cooperation on security and:
- Strengthening partnerships with key regions such as Latin America and the Mediterranean region,
- Concluding international agreements by Europol and Eurojust including to establish joint operational teams with local law enforcement authorities,
- Strengthening information exchange with trusted third countries,
- Completing the revision of the Visa Suspension Mechanism and addressing security considerations in the upcoming Visa Strategy.
Background
The Commission, together with Europol, ensured that the Internal Security Strategy actions are backed by evidence from the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU-SOCTA). The assessment presented on 18 March highlights priority crime areas and key threats that the EU faces for the next four years.
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