EU sets up cyber crime unit

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 24 Nov 2003 at 10:28

The EU has agreed to assemble a European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) to provide a co-ordinated front against security threats to Europe's online infrastructure.

Erkki Liikanen, European Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society said of the decision: 'I'm very pleased that both Parliament and Member States have seen the urgency to get this agency in place and have been able to reach an agreement on the first reading of the proposal. All parties involved in the issues of network and information security have been advocating closer co-operation and the ENISA delivers the infrastructure for this.'

The idea was first mooted barely nine months ago, but ENISA will begin operations next year with a £17m budget. It will comprise representatives from the European Commission, countries within the EU and industry. ENISA will also be supported by a number of industry advisors to be known as the Permanent Stakeholders Group

The body's role will be as a source of information for both businesses and the public on the nature of threats out there and how best to avoid them. It will also work closely with the industry in its efforts in standardisation and research.