Action area 4: Germany’s active role in European and international cyber security policy In view of transnational interconnections in a digitalized world, a high level of cyber security can be achieved only by embedding national measures in the relevant European, regional and international processes and thereby reinforcing them. With this in mind, Germany will continue to play an active role in European and international cyber security policy. A clear legal framework, increased trust and greater resilience in Europe and the rest of the world will also mean greater protection for Germany. Especially in the digital age, security must be understood in global terms. With regard to measures to strengthen national and regional cyber security capabilities, Germany will also push for interoperable cyber security architectures and standards. At European level, the digital single market with an emphasis on sharing secure and interoperable data is crucial to ensure that European cyberspace is secure. Within the framework of existing Union competences, the same applies to police and judicial cooperation, to the Common Foreign and Security Policy and to the European IT security research network. Germany also actively campaigns for greater cyber security in the relevant forums. The central aim of NATO’s cyber defence policy is to make the Alliance resilient and to protect NATO’s own networks. At the United Nations, Germany will continue to work hard to address numerous new issues concerning the application of international law in cyberspace and to maintain and improve openness, security and legal certainty in cyberspace. Bilateral cyber consultations and cooperation with selected partner countries with which Germany is pursuing development cooperation can reinforce this process and achieve a global minimum level of cyber security. Strengthening international law enforcement also plays a special role. In the case of cyber attacks which use foreign systems, the use of diplomatic channels is always also to be considered, in addition to measures to protect and restore the systems affected and to prosecute the perpetrators. 29