The European Union has launched DNS4EU, a new DNS resolution service focused on enhancing privacy and security for users across the region. This initiative has the backing of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and comes as part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on non-European DNS services, such as those provided by Google and Cloudflare.
DNS4EU aims to provide a resilient, fast, and reliable alternative for European internet users, both individuals and institutions. The service is set to be commercialized post-2025 to ensure sustainability without ongoing EU funding. It has been developed by a consortium of cybersecurity firms, incident response teams, and academic institutions from ten EU countries, led by the Czech cybersecurity company Whalebone.
The initiative emphasizes privacy, as users can opt for a DNS resolution that aligns with local regulation while being voluntary and non-intrusive. As stated by the consortium, “The EU will not have access to configuration, data, etc.” Importantly, users will have flexibility in choosing from various resolution options—some allowing unfiltered access and others blocking malicious sites, child-inappropriate content, and ads.
DNS4EU has integrated regional threat intelligence from various cybersecurity entities. This cooperation means that malware threats identified in one region can be proactively addressed across multiple countries, enhancing overall cybersecurity in the EU. This collaborative approach is expected to create a robust cybersecurity environment leveraging shared information and resources.
For more information on the public services offered, visit the DNS4EU for End Users. Government and public institutions can explore options tailored for their specific needs here. Telecommunications companies can benefit from DNS4EU solutions, which can reduce costs associated with maintaining their own DNS infrastructure; more details here.