Understanding Europol: Combatting Organized Crime and Terrorism

About EUROPOL

Headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, Europol’s mission is to support its Member States in preventing and combating all forms of serious international and organised crime, cybercrime and terrorism. Europol also works with many non-EU partner states and international organisations.

Large-scale criminal and terrorist networks pose a significant threat to the internal security of the EU and to the safety and livelihood of its people. The biggest security threats come from:

terrorism;
international drug trafficking and money laundering;
organised fraud;
the counterfeiting of euros;
trafficking in human beings.

Spain: 24 arrested in crackdown on speedboat migrant smuggling network

From Vietnam to the EU by air: 8 arrested in a migrant smuggling sting across Europe

Up to EUR 50 000 for a passage to the UK: 19 suspected migrant smugglers arrested

From intelligence to conviction: Europol helps dismantle Terrorgram Collective

Events

Cyber Defenders: teaching children to stay safe in online

Europol Industry and Research Days 2026

Reports: IOCTA 2026 – The evolving threat landscape: how encryption, proxies and AI are expanding cybercrime

Europol in Brief

Steal, deal and repeat: How cybercriminals trade and exploit your data

This joint report, published by Europol and its partners, provides financial institutions with a structured, risk-based approach to preparing for the transition to post-quantum cryptography, as advances in quantum computing are expected to challenge the long-term security of today’s encryption standards.

Cite this publication: Europol, Prioritising post-quantum cryptography migration activities in financial services, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2026.