Can Europe and the US under Trump find unity in cybersecurity?

The re-election of Donald Trump has added pressure to the already strained relationship between Europe and the US. Mutual digital interdependence offers a critical opportunity to strengthen ties through shared cybersecurity efforts, fostering resilience and cooperation in an increasingly fragmented world
Main Top Image
The Now Time / Unsplash

The re-election of President Trump, with his ‘America First’ agenda and criticism of NATO reliance on the US, is a major factor complicating Europe’s security outlook. As Europe seeks to develop independent defence capabilities, requiring greater autonomy and investment in military infrastructure, cyberspace emerges as both a critical challenge and a promising opportunity. 

US pressure on allied European countries to increase their defence spending could serve as a turning point for Europe to bolster its autonomous defence capabilities, drive innovation in security practices, and emphasise the importance of cyber sovereignty. 

Meanwhile, the growing dependence of Western societies on digital infrastructure has increased global vulnerabilities, but this shared reliance also offers a unique opportunity to deepen transatlantic ties. Focusing on cyber defence could bolster European resilience while offering a hopeful and innovative path for international cooperation in a world where American support is less assured. 

By prioritising joint efforts to secure digital infrastructure, address shared vulnerabilities, and shape global norms, Europe and the US can reinforce mutual resilience and reaffirm their commitment to common security. As such, this writing advocates for a constructive approach to transatlantic relations under Trump’s renewed leadership. Cybersecurity can be a key area for cooperation, providing a critical unifying factor that transcends political divides. 

Current cyber cooperation

European allies have enjoyed diverse forms of cyber domain cooperation, intelligence exchange, and mutual training opportunities with the US through NATO and other transatlantic initiatives. The key question now is whether the new US administration will be motivated to maintain a high level of cyber cooperation with its European partners.

One area of robust transatlantic digital cooperation has been joint cyber exercises and preparedness training, like the 2024 ‘Coalition Warrior’ Exercise (CWIX), which was NATO’s largest-ever digital interoperability exercise. Despite criticism from Trump during his first term in office, NATO was steadfast in its move to multidomain warfare. It included the cyber component in interoperability exercises such as ‘Trident Juncture,’ which tested the bloc’s joint defence capabilities.

The importance of cyber cooperation is also demonstrated by initiatives undertaken by the US in European countries, beyond NATO commitments. For example, the so-called ‘Hunt Forward’ operations have helped Ukraine counteract Russian cyberattacks aimed at magnifying the impact of kinetic warfare. The combination of routine interoperability exercises and bilateral, ad-hoc cyber operations in emergencies highlights the flexibility and interdependence of the diverse transatlantic partnerships in the digital realm.

The need for more

The most urgent reason for expanding such cooperation is the growing number of massive cyberattacks against critical civilian infrastructure, as well as the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape, where a great variety of malicious actors is increasingly blurring the lines between cybercrime and warfare. Addressing transnational attacks against vital civilian infrastructure and profiling malicious actors without support from other countries would be an extremely difficult, if not impossible, task for any but the most advanced cyber authority.

Unlike conventional military and security cooperation, such as the stationing of foreign troops abroad, joint military logistics, and procurement of weapons, cooperation in the cyber domain usually requires less monetary investment and commitment of resources. Furthermore, cyber cooperation offers significant benefits in terms of financial losses averted due to countered cyber-attacks. 

Geopolitical opponents of such transatlantic partnerships, trying to avoid a direct military confrontation with the West, may see asymmetric warfare, including cyber-attacks, as their best option to cause damage and weaken NATO unity. As these hybrid threats increase, along with the risk of human error and associated incidents that could result in a military escalation, more effective transatlantic cooperation in the cyber sphere will be one of the most important elements of the current NATO shift towards multidomain operations.

Continuous transatlantic cooperation in the cyber domain is in the core American and European national interests, regardless of new political constellations on both continents. First and foremost, the US and Europe are digitally interdependent – secure transatlantic data flows, cloud services, and  submarine fibre optic cables are existential for uninterrupted internet, security of financial markets, economic stability, and safety of the civilian population. Moreover, joint cyber operations provide ample opportunities for the routine intelligence sharing and combating of transnational crime that will remain on the security agenda of any political force with consistent security policies on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Mutual digital interdependence

The interconnectivity of our digitised societies makes us vulnerable and interdependent beyond national frontiers. The need to address these common vulnerabilities and interdependencies in the cyber domain gives us a common purpose. 

Contemporary tensions in transatlantic relations and friction surrounding Europe’s push for greater cyber sovereignty do not preclude collaboration. Initiatives like the EU-US Trade and Technology Council exemplify how transatlantic partners can align cybersecurity standards, secure supply chains, and work together to advance shared goals in emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing. 

Cyber collaboration requires less material investment than traditional military operations but yields significant beneficial impact, such as preserving critical functionality and averting financial losses. Initiatives like joint threat intelligence sharing, cross-border cyber exercises, coordinated incident responses, harmonisation of cybersecurity standards, securing critical infrastructure, and advancing shared goals in emerging technologies (such as AI and quantum computing) can enhance collective resilience, ensuring a more robust defence against adversarial tactics. By framing cybersecurity as a cornerstone of transatlantic unity, Europe and the US can leverage their combined expertise, resources, and shared values to build a more resilient digital ecosystem that not only counters threats but also provides a powerful and cost-effective cooperation model.

Adopting a focus on opportunities over disagreements may be a new way forward to navigate transatlantic relations under Trump’s renewed leadership: cybersecurity stands out as a unifying factor and highlights the potential for new or strengthened cooperation formats. 

The digitalisation of all spheres of modern life has extended to the battlefield of the 21st century, establishing cyberspace as a critical domain of international influence. By prioritising joint efforts to safeguard digital infrastructure and address shared vulnerabilities, Europe and the US can reinforce mutual security and resilience. This focus not only tackles immediate challenges but also lays the groundwork for sustained cooperation, whether within NATO or through complementary frameworks. As such, cybersecurity becomes more than a sole technical necessity; it symbolises a shared commitment to transatlantic values in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Terms and Conditions for the AI-Cybersecurity Essay Prize Competition

Introduction

The AI-Cybersecurity Essay Prize Competition (the “Competition”) is organized by Virtual Routes (“Virtual Routes”) in partnership with the Munich Security Conference (“MSC”). It is sponsored by Google (the “Sponsor”). By entering the Competition, participants agree to these Terms and Conditions (T&Cs).

Eligibility

The Competition is open to individuals worldwide who are experts in the fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (“AI”). Participants must ensure that their participation complies with local laws and regulations.

Submission Guidelines

Essays must address the question: “How will Artificial Intelligence change cybersecurity, and what are the implications for Europe? Discuss potential strategies that policymakers can adopt to navigate these changes.”

Submissions must be original, unpublished works between 800-1200 words, excluding footnotes but including hyperlinks for references.

Essays must be submitted by 2 January 2025, 00:00 am CET., through the official submission portal provided by Virtual Routes.

Only single-authored essays are accepted. Co-authored submissions will not be considered.

Participants are responsible for ensuring their submissions do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of third parties.

Judging and Awards

Essays will be judged based on insightfulness, relevance, originality, clarity, and evidence by a review board comprising distinguished figures from academia, industry, and government.

The decision of the review board is final and binding in all matters related to the Competition.

Prizes are as follows: 1st Place: €10,000; Runner-Up: €5,000; 3rd Place: €2,500; 4th-5th Places: €1,000 each. The winner will also be invited to attend The Munich Security Conference

Intellectual Property Rights

The author retains ownership of the submitted essay.

By submitting the essay, the author grants Virtual Routes exclusive, royalty-free rights to use, reproduce, publish, distribute, and display the essay for purposes related to the Competition, including but not limited to educational, promotional, and research-related activities.

The author represents, warrants, and agrees that no essay submitted as part of the essay prize competition violates or infringes upon the rights of any third party, including copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other personal or proprietary rights, breaches, or conflicts with any obligation, such as a confidentiality obligation, or contains libellous, defamatory, or otherwise unlawful material.

The author agrees that the organizers can use your name (or your pseudonym) and an image of you in association with your essay for purposes of publicity, promotion and any other activity related to the exercise of its rights under these Terms.

The organizers may remove any essay-related content from its platforms at any time and without explanation.

The organizers may block contributions from particular email or IP addresses without notice or explanation.

The organizers may enable advertising on its platforms and associated social media accounts, including in connection with the display of your essay. The organizers may also use your Material to promote its products and services.

The organizers may, at its sole discretion, categorise Material, whether by means of ranking according to popularity or by any other criteria.

Data Protection

Personal information collected in connection with the Competition will be processed in accordance with Virtual Routes’ Privacy Policy. Participants agree to the collection, processing, and storage of their personal data for the purposes of the Competition.

Liability and Indemnity

Virtual Routes, MSC, and the Sponsor will not be liable for any damages arising from participation in the Competition, except where prohibited by law.

Participants agree to indemnify Virtual Routes, MSC, and the Sponsor against any claims, damages, or losses resulting from a breach of these T&Cs.

General Conditions

Virtual Routes reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the Competition or these T&Cs if fraud, technical failures, or any other factor beyond Virtual Routes’ reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Competition, as determined by Virtual Routes in its sole discretion.

Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Competition may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Virtual Routes reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the United Kingdom, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions, including any question regarding its existence, validity, or termination, shall be referred to and finally resolved by the courts of the United Kingdom. The participants agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in the United Kingdom for the resolution of all disputes arising from or related to these Terms and Conditions or the Competition.