On April 1, 2025, the European Commission introduced ProtectEU, a new internal security strategy designed to reinforce the European Union’s collective ability to respond to a rapidly evolving threat landscape. From hybrid threats and cyberattacks to organized crime and terrorism, ProtectEU sets a forward-looking agenda to ensure the safety and resilience of EU Member States and their citizens.
Why a New Internal Security Strategy?
The security environment in the EU has dramatically changed. With more critical services moving online and global tensions rising, the EU faces a surge in cyber-enabled threats, foreign interference, and digitally connected organized crime. The ProtectEU strategy reflects a holistic approach that brings together law enforcement, intelligence, infrastructure resilience, digital security, and civil society.
Key Objectives and Strategic Focus Areas
1. A New Governance Model for Internal Security
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Security considerations will be embedded in the early stages of EU policymaking.
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A coordinated governance framework will guide implementation, complemented by regular threat assessments and structured cooperation with the European Parliament and Council.
2. Anticipating and Sharing Intelligence Effectively
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Enhanced situational awareness through coordinated threat analysis.
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Improved intelligence-sharing via the Single Intelligence Analysis Capacity (SIAC) and closer collaboration between Member States and EU bodies.
3. Upgrading Law Enforcement Tools
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A new operational mandate for Europol to support cross-border investigations.
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Strengthening cooperation among justice and home affairs (JHA) agencies such as Eurojust, Frontex, and ENISA.
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Development of a Critical Communication System for secure and instant cross-border information exchange.
4. Reinforcing Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection
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Full implementation of the NIS2 Directive is a priority, aiming to expand cybersecurity obligations across essential and important entities in the EU.
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CER Directive implementation to safeguard critical entities and improve their resilience against physical and cyber disruptions.
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Introduction of a new EU Cybersecurity Act and increased focus on secure telecoms, cloud services, and supply chain resilience.
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A new Action Plan to counter CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) threats.
5. Fighting Organized Crime and Money Laundering
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Stronger legislation to dismantle criminal networks and enhance asset recovery.
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New legal frameworks addressing drug trafficking, child protection, and firearms trafficking.
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Emphasis on the “Follow the Money” approach and full transposition of EU asset recovery rules.
6. Counterterrorism and Preventing Radicalisation
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A refreshed EU Agenda on Counterterrorism and Violent Extremism.
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New tools to monitor and prevent radicalisation, especially online.
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Exploratory work on an EU-wide terrorist financing tracking mechanism.
7. Global Cooperation and External Security
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Strengthening ties with key international partners, particularly in Latin America and the Mediterranean.
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Supporting joint operations through international agreements with Europol and Eurojust.
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Advancing secure and trusted data exchange with third countries.
What This Means for Businesses and Stakeholders
ProtectEU complements other major EU policy initiatives, including the Preparedness Union Strategy, the European Defence White Paper, and the forthcoming European Democracy Shield. It underscores the importance of compliance with NIS2 and CER directives for operators of essential and critical services, especially in sectors like energy, finance, transport, health, and digital infrastructure.
Organizations across the EU are urged to:
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Assess their exposure to critical threats.
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Align internal policies with the new legislative and operational frameworks.
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Engage proactively in national and cross-border cooperation efforts.
Need support with NIS2 or CER compliance?
Our team at Konkrit Solutions can help your organization assess regulatory exposure, strengthen operational resilience, and navigate upcoming security obligations.
