Validating Europe’s Current Civilian–Defence Cybersecurity Policy Landscape: Follow up

On 25 February 2026, the COcyber Policy-Oriented Workshop: Validating Europe’s Current Civilian–Defence Cybersecurity Policy Landscape brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the evolving policy environment shaping cybersecurity cooperation across civilian and defence domains in Europe.

Organised online and led by COcyber partner EOS, the workshop represented the first validation step in the development of COcyber’s policy recommendations aimed at strengthening collaboration between civilian and defence cybersecurity communities at both EU and Member State level.

Reviewing Europe’s cybersecurity policy landscape

The session opened with a presentation of the key findings from COcyber’s policy and literature review, which maps the current European cybersecurity policy landscape and examines existing cooperation mechanisms between civilian and defence actors.

The review also explores institutional and operational challenges that continue to affect civil–military collaboration in cybersecurity. By analysing these frameworks and practices, the project aims to better understand where coordination works effectively and where further policy support may be required.

Interactive validation with expert stakeholders

Participants were invited to actively validate the findings of the review through interactive breakout discussions, focusing on three key questions:

• What elements of the review accurately reflect the current policy and operational reality?
• Which aspects may be missing, overstated, or unclear?
• Which gaps most urgently require policy action?

These discussions enabled stakeholders to provide practical insights and policy perspectives, ensuring that the review reflects both strategic priorities and operational experience across Europe’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

Identifying priority policy gaps

Following the breakout sessions, moderators shared key takeaways from each discussion group. Participants then contributed to a live Mentimeter poll, collectively highlighting the most critical gaps requiring future policy attention.

One area that received particular attention during the discussion was the growing role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and how these developments may influence cybersecurity cooperation between civilian and defence communities.

Informing the next phase of COcyber policy work

The feedback and insights gathered during the workshop will directly inform the next phase of COcyber’s policy work, including the development of preliminary policy recommendations designed to strengthen cooperation and coordination across the civilian and defence cybersecurity landscape.

These recommendations will be further refined and validated in upcoming COcyber workshops, continuing the project’s collaborative approach to policy development.

Through initiatives such as this workshop, COcyber continues to support dialogue between policymakers, industry, research, and defence stakeholders, contributing to a more coordinated and resilient European cybersecurity ecosystem.