COMMENTARY: In recent years, the activities of state-sponsored actors based in Russia, China, Iran and North Korea have become headline news, with allegations of interference in political processes such as elections and referendums, as well as profiting from cyber blackmail.
For managed service providers (MSPs) and managed security service providers (MSSPs), the Cyber Solidarity Act represents both a call to action and an opportunity to enhance their strategic role in the cybersecurity ecosystem.
Understanding the EU Cyber Solidarity Act
Approved by the European Parliament in April 2024, the EU Cyber Solidarity Act is designed to bolster the bloc’s resilience to cyberattacks. Key elements include the creation of Cyber Hubs, previously known as the European Cyber Shield, which are regional security operations centres (SOCs) established to foster cross-border collaboration and intelligence-sharing.
The Cyber Emergency Mechanism is another pivotal aspect aimed at enhancing preparedness by testing critical sectors, creating an EU Cybersecurity Reserve composed of trusted incident response providers, and facilitating mutual support among member states. Additionally, the Act includes a Cybersecurity Incident Review Mechanism, a framework for post-incident analysis to refine best practices and mitigate future risks.
The Act’s introduction reflects the EU’s commitment to tackling the growing sophistication of state-sponsored cyber threats and enhancing its digital resilience. However, its success hinges on collaboration between public and private sectors, with MSPs and MSSPs playing a pivotal role.
Implications for MSPs and MSSPs
As part of the EU Cybersecurity Reserve, these providers will deliver specialized services such as incident analysis, threat response, and coordination of defensive measures. Their involvement strengthens the EU’s capacity to detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents.
This initiative not only positions private managed service providers as essential contributors to the EU’s cybersecurity strategy, but also creates significant opportunities. By meeting rigorous standards and aligning with public sector efforts, providers can play a pivotal role in shaping Europe’s cyber resilience while expanding their service offerings in a rapidly growing field.
The Act’s emphasis on Cyber Hubs highlights the importance of real-time threat intelligence. MSPs and MSSPs, often at the forefront of monitoring and responding to cyber threats, can leverage their expertise to collaborate with national Cyber Hubs, share actionable threat intelligence, employ advanced tools such as AI-powered analytics to enhance detection capabilities, and provide critical insights that enable member states to respond swiftly to emerging threats.
Although the Cyber Solidarity Act primarily targets governmental interoperability, its interplay with broader EU regulations — such as the NIS2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act — has significant implications for organizations.
UK considerations and indirect impact
Post Brexit, we should first clarify that the Act and its requirements relate to the EU and, therefore, have little direct applicability to the UK. The Act is also focused on macro-level aspects — particularly governmental interoperability and communication — and the ability of service providers to provide support.
Accordingly, where the Act places demands on the private sector, it is as service providers to assist EU governments in responding to cybersecurity threats. However, while there aren’t direct compliance demands for customers, there is interplay with other aspects of the cybersecurity ecosystem, and this is more likely to apply to customers directly.
The arena is fast-paced, in part due to the rapidly evolving nature of the threat matrix. Most importantly, customers need to ensure they are aware of developments, both broad and sector-specific.
For instance, January’s action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers is the “first sector-specific initiative to deploy the full range of EU cybersecurity measures.” The initiative expanded the remit for The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) to provide the sector with response support and has established specific requirements for the sector. It is important that organizations understand whether they fall within the scope of this (or related cybersecurity) legislation and prepare accordingly.
MSSPs can support their customers by conducting readiness assessments to ensure alignment with evolving cybersecurity requirements, guiding clients through certification processes to ensure they meet mandated security standards, or encouraging them to take advantage of initiatives like the Cybersecurity Skills Academy.
Challenges and considerations
While the Act presents substantial opportunities for MSPs and MSSPs, it also introduces challenges. Regulatory complexity requires MSPs and MSSPs to navigate the intricate web of EU cybersecurity regulations, which include certification requirements and interoperability standards. Participation in the Cybersecurity Reserve demands significant investment in infrastructure, personnel, and training.
Furthermore, the Reserve’s procurement process creates a competitive environment where only the most qualified providers will be selected. To thrive, MSPs and MSSPs must proactively invest in their capabilities to ensure they meet the high bar set by the EU’s cybersecurity framework.
The strategic role of MSPs and MSSPs in cyber resilience
For MSPs and MSSPs, the legislation highlights their critical role in bridging the gap between policy and operations. MSPs and MSSPs could be seen as the operational backbone of the EU’s cybersecurity strategy, where regulatory frameworks meet actionable solutions. By achieving EU-mandated certifications, MSSPs can assure clients of their competence and reliability, enhancing their market position.
The EU Cyber Solidarity Act is a landmark initiative in the fight against cyber threats, emphasizing the importance of shared responsibility across governments, industries, and service providers. For MSPs and MSSPs, it represents an opportunity to solidify their position as indispensable partners in Europe’s cybersecurity landscape. By aligning with the Act’s requirements and leveraging their expertise, MSPs and MSSPs can ensure they not only meet the demands of the Cyber Solidarity Act but also exceed the expectations of their clients. This dual focus on compliance and innovation will help them keep ahead of the trillions of potential threats.
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