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EU agency to be given new powers to help pull the plug on cybercrimeFeb 21, 2013 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- The EU's battle against cybercrime is set to receive a boost after an EP committee approved plans to upgrade the mandate of the European agency dedicated to improving information security. The European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) was launched in 2004 to help with matters of network and information security. On 20 February the EP's industry and research committee voted in favour of extending its mandate for an additional five years, including giving it additional tasks. Under the proposal to modernise the agency, ENISA will become a key player in the fight against cybercrime, responsible for coordinating the efforts of law enforcement bodies and privacy protection authorities. Among other tasks, ENISA will help the Commission with policy development and facilitate cooperation among member states, assist the EU in efforts to collect, analyse and disseminate network and information security data while promoting the use of risk management and security good practices and standards.The new mandate will also involve a change in management, streamlining of procedures and a gradual increase of resources. Giles Chichester, responsible for steering the proposal through Parliament, proposed relocating the agency from Heraklio, Greece, to Brussels. "A review of the ENISA's travel statistics alone suggests that Brussels would be a far better location than any other," the British member of the ECR group said. However, this suggestion was not taken up by the rest of the committee. ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. |