LONDON

Senior officials from NATO and the EU met on Friday to discuss challenges and further cooperation in cyber defense.

In a statement by the alliance, David van Weel, assistant secretary general for Emerging Security Challenges, highlighted the importance of cyber security, saying: "Cyberspace is marked by constant competition."

"Effective defense in cyberspace requires a more proactive approach, including a mindset shift towards more engagement with partners," he noted.

It can only be defended in "a collaborative spirit," Weel noted in the statement, released following the talks that he co-chaired along with Benedikta von Seherr-Thoss, managing director for peace, security and defense at the European External Action Service.

In addition to decisions that were taken at the Vilnius Summit to strengthen cyber defense as part of NATO’s overall deterrence and defense posture, the military alliance has also launched NATO’s new Virtual Cyber Incident Support Capability to support national mitigation efforts.