Belgium steps up preparations against growing hybrid threats

Yesterday 22:15

By: Azzat Manal

Belgium steps up preparations against growing hybrid threats

Belgium is stepping up preparations to respond to growing hybrid threats, with the country’s National Security Council due to meet on Friday to discuss a coordinated response to an increasingly complex security environment across Europe. Belgian security services and relevant government departments are already working on a plan and a set of measures ahead of the meeting.

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin told the Belgian parliament last week that the country needs to continuously adapt its protection plans as the nature of the threats evolves. He stressed that safeguarding critical infrastructure requires ongoing adjustments and closer cooperation with European allies, the United States and other partners.

Belgian authorities use the term “hybrid threats” to describe a broad range of activities that can be carried out by state or non-state actors, including cyberattacks, sabotage, espionage, election interference, disinformation and economic pressure. Belgium’s national security framework identifies such threats as a major area of concern.

The country has already taken steps to strengthen its resilience. In June, Belgium announced its first national SHIELD defence plan since the end of the Cold War, bringing together federal and regional authorities to prepare for military and hybrid crises. The plan is designed to improve coordination, speed up decision-making and strengthen protection for the population, critical infrastructure and public institutions.

The renewed focus comes amid a series of security incidents across Europe. Belgian officials have pointed to cyberattacks, drone incidents and other activities that can disrupt critical infrastructure and civilian facilities. Quintin told parliament that Belgium is facing what he described as a real hybrid threat and called for stronger preparation and a greater security culture.

Belgium's strategic position makes infrastructure protection particularly important. The country hosts the port of Antwerp-Bruges, the Zeebrugge gas terminal, NATO headquarters and major European Union institutions. The Euroclear financial infrastructure, which holds a large share of frozen Russian assets, has also been identified by Belgian officials as a potential strategic concern.

The issue is also being addressed at the European level. EU officials were meeting in Brussels on Monday to discuss a possible emergency mechanism designed to improve coordination among member states when hybrid attacks occur. The initiative comes as European governments seek faster ways to respond to sabotage, cyber operations and other forms of hostile activity.

The European Union has maintained a dedicated working process on strengthening resilience and countering hybrid threats, with meetings continuing throughout September and into October. The discussions form part of wider efforts to improve cooperation between member states in dealing with security risks that can cross national borders.

Belgium also works with NATO on countering hybrid threats. The alliance defines such threats as a combination of military and non-military, overt and covert methods, including disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure and sabotage. NATO has developed mechanisms to support individual allies and improve coordination with the European Union.

For Brussels, the challenge extends beyond responding to individual incidents. The authorities are seeking to strengthen the resilience of essential services and infrastructure while improving coordination between civilian institutions, security agencies and the armed forces.

The coming National Security Council meeting is therefore expected to focus on practical measures that can reinforce Belgium’s ability to anticipate, detect and respond to hybrid activities. The broader objective is to ensure that the country can maintain essential services and protect its institutions in the event of increasingly sophisticated security disruptions.