EU unveils ProtectEU Strategy to reinforce internal security architecture
The European Commission has presented its flagship internal security strategy, ProtectEU, outlining a comprehensive plan to strengthen the EU’s ability to anticipate, prevent, and respond to security threats. Developed in response to growing concern over hybrid warfare, transnational crime, terrorism, and cyberattacks, the strategy introduces new instruments, redefines governance structures, and seeks to mainstream security into all areas of EU policymaking. It is expected to serve as the guiding framework for internal security during the Commission’s current mandate.
Built on three strategic pillars — security culture, ex-ante threat auditing, and investment —ProtectEU proposes a shift from reactive crisis management to anticipatory security planning. A central element is the creation of a permanent EU security governance system, with a dedicated project group and a newly formed Security College within the Commission. These bodies will evaluate the impact of all new legislative initiatives on readiness and resilience. Simultaneously, Member States are urged to co-invest in critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, and personnel gaps, supported by both EU and national funding, as well as the private sector.
Operationally, the strategy identifies six priority areas: enhancing situational awareness through shared data and risk reports from Europol and ENISA; expanding law enforcement capabilities via Europol’s transformation into a more operational force; hardening infrastructure against hybrid threats; cracking down on organized crime; implementing a robust counterterrorism agenda; and deepening international cooperation with neighbouring regions. Frontex’s capacity is also set to triple, with new technologies supporting external border surveillance, while additional initiatives target ransomware, trafficking, and critical subsea cable protection.
However, the strategy’s encryption roadmap has sparked controversy. While it promotes strong encryption as a pillar of cybersecurity, it also endorses lawful access mechanisms, raising fears of backdoors and erosion of digital privacy. Critics argue this could undermine end-to-end encryption and user trust, with potential impacts on the VPN and cybersecurity industries. More broadly, ProtectEU is seen by some as a step toward deeper integration in the security domain — a move praised for improving coordination, but also raising questions about national sovereignty, democratic oversight, and the balance of power between Brussels and Member States.
