<h1>Internet security demands a Europe-wide strategy, says Neelie Kroes</h1><p><a href="http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/24744/internet-security-demands-a-europewide-strategy-says-neelie-kroes/">http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/24744/internet-security-demands-a-europewide-strategy-says-neelie-kroes/</a></p>
<p>23 March 2012</p><h2 class="article-intro">Internet
security cannot be confined to national security agencies because cyber
threats come from around the world and readily cross borders, according
to European Commission vice-president Neelie Kroes.</h2><div class="article-content"><p>That
is why there is a need for a Europe-wide strategy to provide a
comprehensive response to address the specific requirements of security
in cyberspace, she said in Brussels.</p><p>Internet security is not a
problem that is going to go away, but a safer internet can be achieved
with an approach that is built on the single market, gives the right
incentives to the private sector, invests in supply, and has an
international outlook, said Kroes.</p><p>The strategy will "enable a
step-change in how we ensure internet security. It will be embedded in
our principles for internet governance," she said.</p><p>The Commission
is due to present its plan for a "European strategy for internet
security" in the third quarter of this year, which will ask EU member
states to guarantee minimum capabilities to respond adequately to
threats and share critical information in a secure and confidential
manner.</p><p>Member states will be required to establish competent
authorities to centralize information to enable the creation of a
regional forum for collaboration with the private sector, support a
European cyber incident contingency plan, and exchange best practices.</p><p>Kroes
also wants to expand data breach notification obligations from the
telecoms sector to other sectors that rely on critical information
infrastructure, such as energy, water, finance and transport.</p><p>She pointed out that the <a href="http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/23201/cyber-risk-now-in-the-top-five-global-risks" target="_blank">recent World Economic Forum</a> estimated that there is a one in 10 chance of a major breakdown of critical information infrastructure in the next decade.</p>
<p>"Prompt reporting means competent national authorities can react quickly to incidents and minimize their impact," she said.</p><p>Kroes
also called for investment in innovation for security technologies,
including through the EU budget. "We have called for proposals on how to
fight botnets. But research alone isn't enough. We need to fill the
gaps in the value chain, and seamlessly bring bright ideas to the
market," she said.</p><p><em>This story was first published by </em><a href="http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240147311/Internet-security-demands-a-Europe-wide-strategy-says-Neelie-Kroes" target="_blank"><em>Computer Weekly</em></a></p>
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