EU is coming together for cybersecurity

In an effort to protect itself against the ever-growing threats of cyber attacks, the EU has decided to pool and network its expertise for cybersecurity research, technology, and industrial development.

The Council’s Permanent Representatives Committee has now approved the Romanian Presidency a mandate to begin talks with the EU parliament to establish this base for cybersecurity. The base is being called European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Centre. Additionally, there will also be Network of National Coordination Centres. These organizations will be working to secure the digital market and help the EU protect itself from cyber attacks.

The Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Centre and National Coordination Centres will be funded mainly by the Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programs. Voluntary contributions from the member countries remain a possibility too. The Centre is expected to be set up for a period of 1 January 2021 to 30 December 2029.

Commenting on the development, Alexandru Petrescu, Minister for Communications and Information Society of Romania said: “It is in the EU's strategic interest to ensure we have the capacities and capabilities needed to protect our networks and digital services. Structured pooling and sharing of research capacities and rolling out of innovative cybersecurity solutions will give a real push to the competitiveness of the EU's cybersecurity industry in relation to global players.”