On March 10 Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius and Roberto Viola, Director General of DG CONNECT (Directorate General of Communication, Networks, Content and Technology) at the European Commission, had a virtual meeting on the Lithuanian and European initiatives in the area of cybersecurity and especially, elimination of technology from unreliable manufacturers and the European Commission Directive on measures for high common level of cybersecurity across the EU. It was the first bilateral meeting of the two officials.
Vice Minister introduced to the colleague Lithuania’s planning on elimination of unreliable manufacturer technology from critical information infrastructure and state information resources when addressing the Lithuanian cybersecurity priorities. Vice Minister also accentuated the need for a wider EU-level discussion on the matter.
The Lithuanian and European officials also addressed the proposal for a revised Directive on Security of Network and Information Systems (NIS 2 Directive) and related key changes, including requirements for digital service providers and increasing fines.
M. Abukevičius also presented national measures on consolidation of national cybersecurity capabilities and enhancement of cyberspace resilience and underscored that the European Commission was Lithuania’s major partner in both, implementation of EU directives and development and financing of new ones.
“It is also important for Lithuania to share the experience acquired when developing international cybersecurity and defence projects and creating the Lithuanian-led EU cyber response force as cooperation with the EC Directorate is strengthened,” Vice Minister M. Abukevičius said.
In his turn, representative of the European Commission Director General DG CONNECT R. Viola presented the main EU initiatives in the sector of cybersecurity – the ambitious EU Cybersecurity Strategy adopted in 2020 and legislative proposals for ensuring higher level of cybersecurity in the EU, also, stages and progress made on such initiatives as the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and the Joint Cyber Unit, and European financing opportunities for cyber security projects.
