Editor’s Note: Work by the European Parliament to strengthen cybersecurity highlights the need to coordinate cyber defense regulatory activities on both sides of the Atlantic through the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) process. Uncoordinated regulatory actions will result in the creation of non-tariff trade barriers harming international trade, investment and security. CRE’s presentation at the EU-US High Level Regulatory Cooperation Forum is attached here.
From: New Europe
By Clare Murphy
MEPs voted to ensure continued cybersecurity across the EU on 16 April by granting the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) an extended seven-year mandate to strengthen and modernize their system.
The plenary vote (646 for, 45 against) is the result of extensive political debate between Council members and Parliament. With further support being handed to ENISA, the newest regulation that was adopted on February 8 can go into effect. The goal of this regulation is to help the EU, it’s member states and private stakeholders develop their capabilities and preparedness to prevent, detect and respond to cyber-security challenges. Furthermore, ENISA will play a greater role in the EU Cybersecurity strategy that was adopted in January.
“Today’s vote offers a new start for a new ENISA: with expanded tasks, a more agile and efficient organization and governance,” said Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes. “This will help secure European networks and information systems, in line with our cybersecurity strategy.”
ENISA was established in 2004 and started its operations in Crete in 2005. With its expanded mandate ENISA will open another office branch in Athens, a more central hub for the agency’s stakeholders thus boosting company efficiency.
It’s responsible for services like organizing pan-European cybersecurity exercises; setting up Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), analysis of cyber incidents across the contienent and advising the private sector on secured IT business models. Under the recently proposed EU Cybersecurity Strategy, ENISA be responsible for establishing Network and Information Security (NIS) standards and supporting an internationally competitive NIS industry.
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