Government makes progress on a new National Cyber-Security Strategy in light of emerging threats

Zarzuela Palace, Madrid

The new document will seek to provide a response to emerging security threats to IT networks and systems and, in short, to adapt to the dynamics of transforming global security. The new Strategy will also contain the mandate of the European Directive on measures designed to guarantee a high common level of security within this same environment in the European Union.

The National Security Council also agreed on the procedure to draw up an Aerospace Security Strategy - an initiative also provided for in the 2017 National Security Strategy to tackle threats of varying natures to air space and outer space.

Migratory flows, Jihadi terrorist and overseas peace missions

The National Security Council addressed other issues such as managing migratory flows, the threat from Jihadi terrorism and overseas operations by the Armed Forces.

The issue of migration remains one of the most important issues at a national and European level. The response to unlawful migratory flows, the fight against people trafficking and the provision of adequate protection for migrants that require international protection all require a constant and coordinated effort.

In 2018, the trend has increased that began last year as regards the unlawful arrival of migrants to Spain. To 1 July, this figure amounts to 17,320, 82% up on the same period of 2017.

The 2017 National Security Strategy establishes terrorism - principally Jihadi terrorism - as one of the main global threats. This is a complex phenomenon given that it is liable to change and adapt quickly to new circumstances. The work under way to revise the Comprehensive Strategy to Combat International Terrorism and Radicalisation is worthy of mention.

One of the issues addressed by the National Security Council was the actions by the Armed Forces on overseas operations and missions. Spain's participation in 15 international missions, with more than 2,700 servicemen deployed, clearly shows Spain's commitment to international peace and security.

The National Security Council approved the 2017 Annual National Security Report, which is prepared in accordance with the objectives and lines of action contained in the new 2017 National Security Strategy. This strategy, approved on 1 December 2017, introduced three new areas of National Security action, which are air space and outer space security, security from pandemics, and environmental conservation, a true reflection of the new challenges that are emerging to global security.

The Annual National Security Report was prepared in coordination with all the ministerial departments and with the National Intelligence Centre (Spanish acronym: CNI) under the instruction of the National Security Department.

The National Security Council

The National Security Council, in its status as the Government-Delegated Commission for National Security, is the body that assists the President of the Government in managing national security policy and the National Security System.

The National Security Council has met on 16 occasions. One of these - the meeting on 14 November 2015 - was called on an extraordinary basis at the initiative of the President of the Government on the occasion of the Paris terrorist attacks. Today's meeting is the first of this legislature and the first chaired by H.M. the King since 2015.

Non official translation