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A language of power?

Cyber defence in the European Union
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With cyberspace turning into a battlefield and an arena of strategic competition, the EU has stepped up efforts to define its cyber defence posture. This Chaillot Paper examines the evolution of the EU’s cyber defence policy and analyses the role of cyber defence within the Union’s broader security strategy. In particular, it asks: what is – or should be – the role of armed forces in the event of cyber operations that have large-scale disruptive effects on a country’s economy or critical infrastructure? And what rules govern military operations involving cyberspace?

The different perspectives presented in this volume provide EU decision-makers with elements for the comprehensive design and implementation of the EU’s cyber defence policy. The volume highlights the key dilemmas linked to when and how defence forces may resort to cyber operations in a time of conflict, regardless of whether deployed for military operations or to protect civilian infrastructure.