Europe’s Offensive Cyber Capabilities

As the EU and its Member States increasingly recognise the role of offensive cyber capabilities in achieving effective deterrence, attention is shifting toward the structures, resources, and ecosystems required to sustain these capabilities over time. While policy and institutional developments are progressing, it is also important to focus on the underlying market landscape that enable operational capacity.

This invitation-only roundtable session will bring together a carefully selected group of participants representing EU institutions, Member States, industry actors, and the offensive security research community. Designed as an interactive exchange, the discussion will be guided by key findings from ECSO’s analytical work and will invite participants to share practical insights and first-hand experience.

By fostering an open, off-the-record dialogue under Chatham House Rule, the session aims to build a shared understanding of Europe’s emerging capabilities, identify structural gaps, and reflect on whether current efforts are aligned with strategic ambitions. It also represents a first step toward building a community of experts with a shared interest in the topic.