Navigating terrorism and technological threats to critical enterprises in Europe

By Lorenzo Marchetti, Everbridge Head of Global Public Affairs

The security landscape in Europe has changed dramatically, presenting an evolving array of threats. While traditional terrorism remains a significant concern, new technological threats and hybrid attacks are increasingly targeting critical infrastructure across the continent. These challenges underscore the urgency of advanced preparedness strategies, making solutions like Everbridge essential.

The ongoing threat of terrorism in Europe

Terrorism threats continue to be a persistent issue in Europe due to its evolving tactics. Despite extensive counterterrorism efforts, both state and non-state actors pose ongoing threats. Attackers are becoming more sophisticated, utilizing advanced methods to disrupt societies and economies. Recent reports from the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) highlighted that there were over 200 reported terrorist incidents in 2023, with an alarming 45% attributed to far-right extremist groups. This trend signals a shift towards ideologically motivated violence, and attacks, such as the Nord Stream pipeline incident in 2022, reveal the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure across Europe.

Emerging technological threats and hybrid attacks

In addition to traditional terrorism, Europe is facing an increasing number of technological threats that are equally, if not more, dangerous. Cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, disinformation campaigns, and hybrid attacks that blend physical and cyber elements present significant risks to European security.

The rise of technological and hybrid threats

Technological threats, especially cyberattacks, have surged in recent years. These attacks are increasingly frequent and damaging, targeting critical enterprises to cripple operations, steal sensitive data, and cause widespread disruption. The hybrid nature of these attacks—combining cyber tactics with physical actions—poses unique challenges for defenders.

Key insights on cybersecurity attacks

In today’s digital world, understanding and addressing cybersecurity threats is vital for protecting your assets. Data reveals a troubling rise in the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. According to the European Cybersecurity Agency (ENISA), reported cyber incidents targeting critical enterprises in Europe soared by over 50% from 2020 to 2022. Ransomware attacks surged by 45%, heavily impacting sectors such as healthcare, finance, and energy. A report from 2021 indicated that over 80% of businesses in Europe encountered some form of cyberattack, with 30% classified as severe, leading to significant operational disruptions. The 2023 Cyberthreat Report also highlighted that state-sponsored actors are increasingly focusing on European countries, emphasizing disruption and espionage.

By staying informed and prepared, implementing critical resilience solutions, organizations can better protect themselves against the shifting landscape of security threats in Europe. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures and preparedness strategies is crucial for safeguarding critical infrastructure against both traditional and emerging threats.

Elevate your cyber and physical preparedness with Everbridge

In today’s complex threat landscape, European enterprises face a myriad of challenges that demand comprehensive solutions to strengthen their resilience. Enter Everbridge and its innovative Everbridge 360 Solution—an all-in-one suite of tools designed to fortify both cyber and physical preparedness. Let’s dive into how Everbridge can transform your organization’s security strategy.

Stay ahead with real-time risk monitoring

Everbridge provides continuous, real-time risk monitoring, empowering organizations to swiftly identify and assess threats. This proactive approach is crucial in preventing disruptions from terror attacks, hybrid threats, and other risks. Over three years, our strategy has helped clients avoid inventory and property damages, saving an impressive $1.1 million.

Before adopting our Crisis Event Management (CEM) system, teams often relied on manual processes to identify vulnerable locations. Everbridge’s CEM harnesses diverse data sets with an intuitive user interface, enabling rapid identification of potential threats and prompt alerts to the relevant personnel.

Accelerate response with automated incident workflows

Streamline your response with Everbridge’s automated incident response workflows. By automating critical processes, organizations can act swiftly, reducing incident management time and minimizing impacts—potentially saving up to $3 million over three years. Our robust communication tools ensure timely information dissemination, preserving operational continuity even during crises.

Everbridge also integrates physical security measures with cyber strategies, monitoring access points and coordinating responses to threats. This holistic approach not only enhances safety but also recovers employee productivity, translating to $861,000 in savings over three years. With Everbridge CEM, companies can effectively monitor threats, dispatch automated alerts, and reclaim lost time, boosting overall resilience.

Benefit from detailed reporting capabilities

Everbridge’s detailed reporting features allow organizations to meet regulatory requirements by documenting every phase of an incident, from detection to resolution. This comprehensive record is crucial for regulatory compliance and post-incident analysis, enabling continuous improvement in security practices through accurate reporting.

Seamless integration with cybersecurity frameworks

Everbridge integrates effortlessly with your existing cybersecurity tools and frameworks, including SIEM systems and threat intelligence platforms. This unified approach to threat detection and response enhances overall cyber resilience by maximizing your existing cybersecurity investments. Everbridge’s ability to work within established systems makes it a versatile ally in any security strategy.

Everbridge 360: The only complete end-to-end solution for empowering resilience

As European enterprises grapple with traditional and emerging threats, the importance of robust enterprise security measures has never been clearer.

Everbridge empowers organizations with a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to elevate both cyber and physical resilience. Our platform offers real-time risk monitoring, automated incident workflows, advanced communication tools, detailed reporting, and seamless integration with existing cybersecurity frameworks.

Everbridge solutions can support an organization’s EU compliance activity, such as the Critical Entities Resilience Directive (CER), Network and Information Security Directive 2 (NIS2), Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) to nurture a culture of preparedness and resilience.

For Chief Security Officers, corporate security managers, emergency management professionals, and key stakeholders, Everbridge is a valued partner to navigate evolving security challenges.

Ready to enhance your organization’s security posture? Register for our webinar Terrorism and Technological Threats to Critical Enterprises: the Role of Everbridge on August 29^th at 2:30 PM