Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez: Spain leads in cybersecurity through anticipation and public-private cooperation
Speaking at the 19ENISE meeting recently organised by INCIBE in León, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasised that Spain is "one of the countries most committed to cybersecurity in the world." He noted that national capabilities are "above the European average," a result of a "successful strategy that combines anticipation with the fostering of cooperation between the public and private sectors.”
Sánchez, closing the 19th edition of the International Meeting on Information Security organised by the Spanish National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE), stressed that the national cybersecurity system is focused on the "defence of the business sector and support for citizens." He described the work of INCIBE as "fundamental," noting that the centre provides extraordinary support to companies, professionals, and members of the public who suffer identity theft or cyber fraud. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to "make a firm commitment to self-protection," especially through "more training and prevention.”
"We are all very aware of the opportunities that digitalisation brings, but also of the vulnerabilities that these opportunities can create," Sánchez explained. "Our lives are, colloquially speaking, in the cloud," he stated. "While this provides advantages, it also exposes us to risks.”
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, the Prime Minister presented key figures: "In 2024, Spain managed approximately 275,000 cyber incidents and INCIBE addressed around 100,000 of these cases. We must therefore respond forcefully to this real threat because the security of our companies and citizens is at stake," Sánchez stated. He noted he had personally shared this message with many of the representatives of these companies, including numerous start-ups operating in the region. "We must act with more determination, with more awareness and, of course, with more resources than ever before.”
Plan for Security and Defence
The Prime Minister outlined the Industrial and Technological Plan for Security and Defence approved this year, which allocates one in every 10 euros to cybersecurity. "In total €1.157 billion, of the more than €10 billion increase implemented to meet Spain's 2014 commitment to reach 2% of GDP in defence spending.”
He talked about the challenge posed by this threat and how it is matched only by the damage it can cause. "Globally, estimates place the economic cost of cybercrime at a significant figure: $10.5 trillion per year. To give you an idea, that is six times more than the Gross Domestic Product of our country.”
"Fortunately, Spain is doing its homework in the area of cybersecurity," he affirmed. He concluded that "our capabilities are above the European average and this is not by chance; it is the result of a strategy that I would also describe as successful, which combines anticipation with the fostering of cooperation between the public and private sectors.”