Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/173 of 27 January 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/796 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2019/796 of 17 May 2019 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States (1), and in particular Article 13(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 17 May 2019, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2019/796.

(2) Targeted restrictive measures against cyber-attacks with a significant effect which constitute an external threat to the Union or its Member States are one of the measures included in the Union’s framework for a joint diplomatic response to malicious cyber activities, namely the Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox, and are a vital instrument to prevent, deter, discourage and respond to such activities.

(3) Malicious cyber activities against critical infrastructure or essential services, including through the use of ransomware and wipers, the targeting of supply chains and cyber-espionage, including intellectual property theft activities, are increasing in number, frequency and sophistication. With their disruptive and destructive effects, those activities pose a systemic threat to the Union’s security, economy and democracy and to society at large.

(4) In 2020, cyber-attacks with a significant effect were carried out against Estonia. Cyber-attacks targeting the computer systems of multiple institutions were conducted with the aim of using the data to threaten the security of Estonia. Those cyber-attacks concerned the storage of classified information.

(5) As part of the sustained, tailored and coordinated Union action against persistent cyber threat actors, three natural persons should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/796. Those persons are responsible for, or involved in, cyber-attacks with a significant effect which constitute an external threat to the Union or its Member States.

(6) Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/796 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/796 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 27 January 2025.

For the Council The President K. KALLAS

(1) OJ L 129 I, 17.5.2019, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/796/oj.