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from EIU ViewsWire on Monday, March 10, 2003

In recognition that guaranteeing network security is vital to the future roll-out of electronic commerce, and in the context of growing concern over the increasing potential for cyber-attacks, the European Commission has proposed the creation of a European network and information security agency (ENISA).

The agency is designed as a centre of competence where both member states and EU institutions can exchange information and seek advice on matters relating to cyber-security. It will build on national efforts to enhance network and information security -- defined by Erkki Liikanen, the EU information society commissioner, as ensuring the ability of a network or an information system to resist, with a given level of confidence, accidental events or malicious actions that compromise the availability, authenticity, integrity and confidentiality of data.

The new body, with a proposed budget of r24m over five years, will advise governments on Internet security. This will be the first European agency to collect and analyse data on Internet security and breaches of it -- a serious concern, especially in the aftermath of the September 11th 2001 attacks.

This initiative is the latest in a series of Commission efforts to improve network security, which has been part of the eEurope programme since its inception in 1999. A policy paper on information and network security, published in June 2001, was endorsed rapidly by the Council that December.

Concern for network security is growing as the risks of security breaches are multiplied with the Internet explosion and the advent of always on broadband connections. Today, more than 90% of companies operating in the EU have an Internet connection and the majority of them operate a website, while 40% of private households are connected, national administrations are moving to online government services, and vital infrastructures such as electricity and public transport are computer-controlled.

Reported by EIU ViewsWire European Union

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