Key Takeaways
- Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its cybersecurity, as the number of software flaws and hacking attempts has increased significantly in recent years.
- The cybersecurity industry has warned that hackers can now exploit glitches in a much shorter time frame, partly due to the use of AI.
- Europe relies heavily on US-based organizations for cataloging and managing cyber vulnerabilities, but it needs to step up and take its fair share of responsibility.
- The EU needs to invest in its own cybersecurity infrastructure and work more closely with the US to address the growing threat of cyberattacks.
Introduction to Europe’s Cybersecurity Challenges
Europe is facing a significant challenge in terms of cybersecurity, as the number of software flaws and hacking attempts has increased dramatically in recent years. According to Juhan Lepassaar, the head of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), the environment has changed completely since he took charge of the agency in 2019. In 2019, approximately 17,000 software flaws were added to a global database, while in 2025, more than 41,000 were added. Furthermore, it took hackers around two months on average to use those flaws in an attack in 2019, but now it takes only one day on average. This highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks and the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its cybersecurity.
The Growing Threat of Cyberattacks
The cybersecurity industry has warned that hackers can now exploit glitches in a much shorter time frame, partly due to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This has made it easier for hackers to launch attacks and has increased the risk of cyber threats. Moreover, the fact that it takes hackers only one day on average to exploit flaws means that the window for patching and fixing vulnerabilities is very small. As a result, Europe needs to be more proactive and invest in its cybersecurity infrastructure to prevent and respond to cyberattacks. This includes investing in areas such as cataloging and managing cyber vulnerabilities, which is a critical but often overlooked aspect of cybersecurity.
Reliance on US-Based Organizations
One of the challenges facing Europe is its reliance on US-based organizations for cataloging and managing cyber vulnerabilities. For example, MITRE, a US-based nonprofit group, manages a global database of cyber flaws on which the entire industry relies. While this database is essential for cybersecurity, it is concerning that Europe relies so heavily on US-based organizations for this critical function. As Lepassaar noted, "We all reap the benefits for free … it’s needed that we now step up and take our fair share of this." This means that Europe needs to invest in its own cybersecurity infrastructure and work more closely with the US to address the growing threat of cyberattacks.
The Need for European Leadership
Just as Europe has pledged to take greater responsibility for its physical security, it must do the same in cyberspace. This requires European leadership and investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, including areas such as cataloging and managing cyber vulnerabilities. By taking a more proactive approach to cybersecurity, Europe can reduce its reliance on US-based organizations and improve its overall cybersecurity posture. Additionally, European countries can work together to share best practices and coordinate their efforts to address the growing threat of cyberattacks. This will require a concerted effort and investment from European governments and organizations, but it is essential for protecting Europe’s digital economy and infrastructure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its cybersecurity as the number of software flaws and hacking attempts has increased significantly in recent years. The cybersecurity industry has warned that hackers can now exploit glitches in a much shorter time frame, partly due to the use of AI. Europe relies heavily on US-based organizations for cataloging and managing cyber vulnerabilities, but it needs to step up and take its fair share of responsibility. By investing in its own cybersecurity infrastructure and working more closely with the US, Europe can reduce its reliance on US-based organizations and improve its overall cybersecurity posture. This requires European leadership and a concerted effort from European governments and organizations to address the growing threat of cyberattacks.
