25 Apr ProtectEU: The Commission’s New Strategy to Support Internal Security
The European Commission has launched ProtectEU, a new internal security strategy to counter the EU’s most pressing threats from terrorism and cyberattacks, through to organized crime and hybrid threats.
Presented on April 1st, 2025, the plan reflects a step towards an integrated and proactive security policy among member states. Key priorities are to expand the capacity of Europol, Eurojust, and Frontex, and implement a secure communication platform for European communications to first responders, and enhance emergency coordination.
Closer collaboration with civil society, the tech sectors, and national authorities must also be done to establish a shared security culture. Prevent, respond quickly, and be resilient are ProtectEU’s key mottos, but not without controversy hanging over it.
Proposals on access to encrypted information and possible data retention requirements have sparked privacy concerns among digital freedom activists. Security versus inherent freedoms will be significant as the EU continues with this ambitious security agenda.
Author(s): Francesca Foliti, APRE – Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea