Participants from EU Member States and from third states came together in Brussels for the ESDC’s fully residential cyber course ‘Cybersecurity and International Law’, from 12 to 14 of February 2024. More than 20 participants, civilian, military, diplomatic, law enforcement working in different fields and focused on law and cybersecurity, had the possibility to exchange views and share best practices on cyber-related topics while improving their knowledge, skills and competencies.
It has been a great honour for the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) to co-organise this important cyber activity with the Lodz Cyber Hub, a research centre at the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Lodz, Poland. This course, that is linked to the strategic objectives of Pillar 3 of the EU’s Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade, reflects the priority on cyber within the EU’s Strategic Compass and is aligned with the ENISA ECSF “Cyber Legal, Policy and Compliance Officer” profile. This course became part of the standard list of ESDC’s curricula after the approval in 2023 of the 27 EU Member States.
The course was opened by Dr Joanna Kulesza, course director from the Lodz Cyber Hub and by Mr Giuseppe Zuffanti, Coordinator for Cyber Issues- National Expert at the European Security and Defence College (ESDC). They welcomed the participants, provided an overview of the EU Cyber Ecosystem and initiated an extremely useful tour de table.
This course, focused on current geopolitical challenges and pragmatic solutions, gave to the participants a practical approach to the application of international law in cyberspace. Key topics covered included responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, due diligence, and the establishment of norms for an open, stable, and secure digital environment. Participants explored issues related to state responsibility for cyber operations, cybersecurity due diligence, peaceful resolution of cyber disputes, proportional countermeasures, cross-border data flows (including personal data and Big Data), GDPR compliance and human rights implications of algorithmic design and Artificial Intelligence¹. Participants discussed practical application of international law in cyberspace, addressing critical geopolitical challenges and building ground for a joint EU position on the application of international law in cyberspace.
Furthermore, this course allowed participants to exchange their views and to share best practices on cyber-related topics by improving their knowledge, skills and competencies. Thanks to the tabletop exercises, the participants had the practical knowledge and skills needed to address contemporary international law issues in cyberspace. During the course, participants engaged in lively exchanges with representatives from diverse backgrounds. These discussions enriched the learning experience and provided valuable insights into the complex landscape of international law in cyberspace.
This cyber course is one of several cyber activities organised by the ESDC Cyber ETEE platform (cyber education, training, exercise and evaluation). The overall aim of the platform is to address cybersecurity, to provide defence training to civilian and military personnel, and to include CSDP requirements in all relevant training for EU Member States. The platform deals with all domains of cybersecurity, including cyber crime, network information security, cyber defence and external relations.
The ESDC would like to thank the speakers/experts for their exceptional contributions and valuable input and suggestions, namely:
All of the distinguished lecturers from the European Commission, EDA, ENISA, EUISS and EDPS, as well as all of the distinguished speakers from ICANN and GFCE.
Special thanks go to the course directors, the Lodz Cyber Hub and all of the participants for their active participation and commitment.
