The European Union Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox: Impact on the European Union Sanctions Regime

Abstract

The EU’s diplomatic cyber strategy is an important demonstration of its concern and responsiveness with regards disastrous cyber-attacks. In light of the new threats cyber-attacks represent for the economy and democracy, the EU institutions and member states decided to establish a cyber resilience instrument as part of its CFSP. Therefore, in 2017 the Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox was adopted with the aim of ensuring stable, peaceful and secure cyberspace in the EU. Among the five instruments provided by the Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox, the most notable is the legal framework for restrictive measures against cyber-attacks stemming from Decision 2019/797 and Regulation 2019/796. Undeniably, considering the cyberwar context, the Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox, and in particular the cyber sanctions regime, appears to be a most needed instrument within the EU’s cyber deterrence strategy. However, its contribution is merely symbolic. This ensues mostly from both the CFSP’s intergovernmental nature and the anonymous character of cyberspace which represent a hurdle to the adoption of a cyber sanction.