ECA Warns European Union Countries Against Stealth Attacks On Increasing Cyberspace

ECA gives early warning of the dangers of stealth attacks in cyberspace. (photo: doc. pixabay)

JAKARTA - European Union institutions must do more to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. Because their interconnected network places them at greater risk and vulnerability.

According to the European Court of Auditors (ECA) on Tuesday, March 29, the agency sounded the alarm about a sharp increase in stealth attacks. Most likely from Russia.

A series of cyberattacks by multiple governments against political opponents and recent high-level ransomware attacks have prompted countries around the world to strengthen their defenses.

The ECA said the varying levels of cybersecurity readiness in EU agencies poses problems for their overall security. This points to a more than tenfold increase in cybersecurity incidents at EU agencies between 2018 and 2021.

According to the ECA, deficiencies in EU bodies include an inconsistent approach to cybersecurity, a lack of good cybersecurity practices, and inadequate funding and resources, he said.

"Because EU agencies are so interconnected, weaknesses in one agency can expose others to security threats," the ECA said in a report.

"Binding cybersecurity rules should be introduced and the number available for Computer Emergency Response Teams should be increased," he said.

The ECA urges the European Commission to promote more cooperation among EU agencies and the EU Cybersecurity Agency to focus more on EU bodies with less experience in this area.