SecurityBaseline.eu

SecurityBaseline.eu was officially launched on May 13, 2026, providing a comprehensive monitoring platform for government web security across Europe. The site visualizes risks through maps and reports alarming findings, including widespread use of illegal tracking cookies and insecure email encryption, highlighting urgent vulnerabilities in government digital infrastructure.

SecurityBaseline.eu is a spin-off from the Dutch ‘Basisbeveiliging,’ which has monitored baseline security for over a decade. The platform tracks over 80,000 organizations and 500,000 addresses, focusing on government sites across 32 European countries, including the EU, Switzerland, and Norway. It visualizes data through maps updated nightly, showing security issues with traffic light colors—red for critical problems, orange for warnings, and green for acceptable security levels.

Among the most concerning metrics, the platform reports that over 3,000 government sites are illegally using tracking cookies, more than 1,000 database management interfaces are publicly accessible, and 99% of governmental emails are poorly encrypted. These findings are based on data collected from nearly 200,000 domains, with the actual number of government domains estimated to be ten times higher. The platform emphasizes transparency, aiming to motivate governments to improve their cybersecurity policies and infrastructure.

Why It Matters

This development is significant because it exposes widespread vulnerabilities in European government digital infrastructure, which could be exploited for cyberattacks or data breaches. By making this data publicly available, SecurityBaseline.eu aims to pressure governments into addressing these issues, thereby enhancing citizen privacy, data security, and national sovereignty. The platform’s transparency efforts align with broader European initiatives to improve cybersecurity and digital governance.

Background

Over the past decade, the Dutch ‘Basisbeveiliging’ has been a key player in monitoring government cybersecurity. SecurityBaseline.eu extends this effort across Europe, utilizing a sophisticated mapping and measurement system called Web Security Map, which visualizes risks at regional and national levels. Prior to this launch, there have been increasing concerns about government web security, especially regarding data privacy and compliance with regulations like GDPR. The platform’s metrics build on established tools such as internet.nl and Zonemaster, providing a detailed, real-time view of vulnerabilities across multiple countries.

“Our goal is to bring transparency to government web security and motivate improvements across Europe.”

— SecurityBaseline.eu spokesperson

“The widespread use of insecure practices like open database interfaces and poor email encryption is alarming and poses real risks to citizen data.”

— Cybersecurity analyst Dr. Lena Fischer

What Remains Unclear

While the platform’s data is based on extensive measurements, some details remain uncertain, such as the full scope of unmeasured government domains, especially project-specific sites. It is also not yet clear how governments will respond to these findings or whether the vulnerabilities will be addressed promptly. The impact of potential false positives or measurement errors has not been fully disclosed.

What’s Next

Next steps include ongoing monitoring and updates, with the platform planning to expand its metrics and coverage. Governments are expected to review their security postures in response, and the platform may facilitate further collaborations with national cybersecurity agencies. Public awareness campaigns may follow to emphasize the importance of cybersecurity best practices.

Key Questions

What is the main purpose of SecurityBaseline.eu?

SecurityBaseline.eu aims to monitor, visualize, and report on the cybersecurity risks of government websites across Europe to promote transparency and improve security practices.

Which countries are covered by SecurityBaseline.eu?

The platform covers 32 countries, including all EU member states, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The United Kingdom is not included.

What are the most common vulnerabilities found?

Major issues include the illegal use of tracking cookies, publicly accessible database interfaces, and poorly encrypted government emails.

How might governments respond to these findings?

Governments may initiate security audits, implement stricter policies, and improve technical safeguards to address identified vulnerabilities.