As we look back on 2024, it has been a significant year for cybersecurity in Europe, with Belgium playing a key role in shaping the direction of the EU’s cybersecurity efforts. During its Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of the year, Belgium, with the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) at the forefront, contributed to several important initiatives that will help strengthen Europe’s digital resilience.

One of the key achievements was Belgium's leadership in negotiations on the Cyber Solidarity Act and the amendment to the Cybersecurity Act. These efforts, which we were proud to pilot, resulted in the political agreement of important legislative measures that enhance cybersecurity capabilities across the EU. The Cyber Solidarity Act will establish the EU Cybersecurity Alert System and a Cyber Reserve, while the amendment to the Cybersecurity Act allow for the creation of EU wide certification schemes for Managed Security Services, supporting the implementation of NIS2, and the Cyber Reserve.

Belgium also led the adoption of the Council Conclusions on the Future of Cybersecurity, titled ‘Implement and Protect Together’. This key document, which received unanimous support from EU Ministers in May 2024, shifts the focus from new legislation to implementation, emphasizing stronger collaboration, clearer roles, and enhanced Active Cyber Protection.

Throughout the year, we also organized and participated in high-profile events, including the Brussels Cybersecurity Summit in January, which brought together over 500 experts and policymakers to discuss key cybersecurity challenges. We were also pleased to co-sponsor the ENISA Cybersecurity Policy Conference, where Active Cyber Protection was once again highlighted as a key priority. CCB/NCC-BE equally supported a cybersecurity angle to the ‘Research to Reality’ conference aimed to explore the connection between cutting-edge research in digital technologies under Horizon Europe and digitalisation initiatives within the Digital Europe Programme

Additionally, CCB chaired, hosted and strengthened important collaboration networks, such as EU-CyCLONe (cyber crisis management), the NIS Cooperation Group (NIS2 implementation), and the CSIRTs Network (technical collaboration), but also the network of European Cyber Directors. Bringing these networks together during two ‘cybersecurity weeks’ in Namur & Ghent, advancing their internal work, and leading them through both the EU parliamentary elections and the bi-annual Cyber Europe exercise, helped to ensure continued collaboration and progress in Europe’s cybersecurity efforts.

As we look ahead to 2025, the work done in 2024 has laid a solid foundation for future advancements in EU cybersecurity.