Understanding TIBER-EU: Europe’s Framework for Ethical Cybersecurity Testing

TIBER-EU (Threat Intelligence-Based Ethical Red Teaming) is a European-wide initiative designed to enhance cyber defences through collaborative testing. It offers detailed guidelines for authorities, organisations, threat intelligence providers, and red team testers to work together effectively. By conducting controlled cyberattacks, TIBER-EU helps identify vulnerabilities and strengthen an entity’s cyber resilience in a safe and structured manner.

Who is TIBER-EU for?

 It was developed to strengthen the cyber resilience of organisations that deliver critical services, especially within the financial sector. This includes those with cross-border operations that fall under the supervision of multiple regulatory bodies, as well as national and supranational authorities.

While originally intended for financial infrastructure providers, TIBER-EU is flexible enough to be applied across other vital sectors, making it a valuable tool for a broad range of critical entities.

The framework sets out a core set of mandatory requirements, along with optional elements that can be tailored to reflect the specific needs of different jurisdictions. By harmonising how threat-led red teaming is conducted across Europe, TIBER-EU helps simplify compliance and promotes mutual recognition between authorities while reducing administrative burden and increasing efficiency.

Importantly, the TIBER-EU framework can support both regulators and financial entities in complying with the requirements of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). For organisations preparing for DORA’s implementation, adopting TIBER-EU offers a structured and recognised approach to threat-led penetration testing.

How does it work?

TIBER-EU simulations closely replicate the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by actual cyber attackers, relying on tailored threat intelligence. These tests are customised to mimic attacks on the critical functions of an organisation, including its people, processes, and technology infrastructure. Importantly, the goal isn’t to pass or fail but to uncover the strengths and weaknesses of an organisation’s cyber defences. By focusing on the learning opportunities these simulations provide, TIBER-EU helps organisations improve their resilience and move toward a higher level of cyber maturity.

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