Belgium and Slovenia today signed a note of adherence thus officially joining the Lithuanian-coordinated European Union Cyber Rapid Response Teams (CRRTs) project.
“We welcome the new members Belgium and Sweden to this cybersecurity initiative. Hostile cyber activities have been amplified by the war in Ukraine. Our combined efforts to minimize the growing threats in such times are vital. Therefore we very much welcome the decision from an increasing number of EU member states to contribute experts to this project,” said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.
Formed in 2018, the Lithuanian-coordinated PESCO Cyber Rapid Response Teams and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security project is a standing capability available for support within the EU or to EU partners and European military missions and operations under the Common Security and Defence Policy mandate. With the new members Belgium and Slovenia abroad, the project has 8 members.
The CRRT is currently comprised of 8–12 cybersecurity experts delegated at national level by 6 EU member states – Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland and Romania. The CRRT can be used to respond to cyber incidents and crises or a preventive instrument (e.g., vulnerability assessments, elections monitoring, etc.).
The Lithuanian-coordinated PESCO Cyber Rapid Response Teams and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security project is among the most successfully developed and most advanced PESCO projects. It reached Full Operation Capability in May 2021.
