A/77/92
and services, threaten an open, free, global, stable and secure cyberspace, as well as
democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The European Union and its member States have regularly expressed concern
about such malicious activities, which undermine the rules-based international order
and increase the risk of conflict. Malicious use of ICTs undermines the benefits that
the Internet and ICTs provide to society at large and shows the readiness of some
actors to threaten international peace, security and stability. All actors should refrain
from conducting irresponsible and destabilizing activities in cyberspace.
Efforts taken at the national level to strengthen information security and
promote international cooperation in this field
Strengthening global cyberresilience is a crucial element in maintaining
international peace and stability, by reducing the risk of conflict and as a means of
addressing the challenges associated with the digitalization of our economies and
societies. Global cyberresilience reduces the ability of potential perpetrators to
misuse ICTs for malicious purposes and strengthens the ability of States to effectively
respond to and recover from cyberincidents. The European Union and its member
States strongly support the aforementioned vision of an open, free, global, stable and
secure cyberspace, through advancing and implementing an inclusive and
multifaceted strategic framework for conflict prevention and stability in cyberspace,
including through bilateral, regional and multi-stakeholder engagement. As part of
this strategic framework, the European Union works to strengthen global resilience,
advance and promote a common understanding of the rules-based international order
in cyberspace, and develop and implement practical cooperative measures, including
regional confidence-building measures.
The 2013 cybersecurity strategy entitled “An Open, Safe and Secure
Cyberspace”, 5 as well as the subsequent policy documents, instruments and strategies
cited below, represent the European Union’s comprehensive vision on how best to
prevent and respond to cyberdisruptions and cyberattacks. They are aimed at
promoting European Union values and ensuring that the conditions are in place for
the digital economy to grow. Certain specific actions are aimed at enhancing the
cyberresilience of information systems, reducing cybercrime and strengthening
European Union international cybersecurity policy and cyberdefence.
In February 2015, the Council of the European Union stressed in its
Council conclusions on cyberdiplomacy 6 the importance of further developing and
implementing a common and comprehensive European Union approach to
cyberdiplomacy that promotes human rights and fundamental European Union values,
ensures freedom of expression, promotes gender quality, advances economic growth,
combats cybercrime, mitigates cybersecurity threats, prevents conflicts and provides
stability in international relations. The European Union also calls for a strengthened
multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance and for enhanced capacity-building
efforts in third countries. In addition, the European Union recognizes the importance
of engagement with key partners and international organizations. The European
Union also stresses the application of existing international law in cyberspace and in
the field of international security and the relevance of norms of behaviour, as well as
the importance of Internet governance as an integral part of the common and
comprehensive European Union approach to cyberdiplomacy.
__________________
5
6
22-08761
See Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and
Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled “Cybersecurity Strategy of the
European Union: an Open, Safe and Secure Cyberspace”.
6122/15, Council Conclusions on Cyber Diplomacy.
29/34
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