Internet security watchdog gets EU reprieve

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 12 Jun 2008 at 17:50

European Union telecoms ministers have agreed to extend the life of Europe's internet security watchdog by three years as threats to the web increase.

The European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), a small body set up in 2004, was due to be closed down next year, however, rising cyber-crime and attacks such as one suffered by EU member Estonia last year has triggered a rethink.

The bloc's 27 telecoms industry ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, agreed a three-year reprieve until 2012 to give them time to decide how to take the organisation forward. The European Parliament is set to formally endorse the move next week.

"The need for secure networks, systems and services will certainly not suddenly disappear in 2012," says ENISA's executive director, Andrea Pirotti. "Network and information security touches business and the daily lives of citizens in Europe. It consequently needs constant reinforcement to keep up with the evolving threats landscape."

With an annual budget of 8 million euros and fewer than 50 staff, ENISA had no remit or resources to deal with cyber attacks like that experienced by Estonia last year, when the Baltic state accused Russia of causing government websites to crash.