Cybersecurity
Companies may try to bypass GDPR fines by negotiating with cybercriminals, Europol say
Europol, the EU's policing agency, released a report on Tuesday (18 September) in which they warned that EU data protection laws may lead to an increase in cyber-extortion.
UK guilty of human rights abuse, ECHR finds in groundbreaking surveillance case
GCHQ, the British government's intelligence and security organisation, has breached human rights in its mass surveillance programme, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said in a landmark ruling on Thursday (13 September).
Juncker goes to war against disinformation and online terrorist content
The European Commission is set to pursue a crackdown on the spread of online terrorist content and disinformation, its president Jean-Claude Junker announced in his State of the Union address on Wednesday (12 September).
British Airways hacking: Data breach strikes thousands of customers
A highly coordinated cyber attack has hit the UK's largest airline, British Airways, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of customers, with masses of financial and personal data stolen by hackers in what BA boss Alex Cruz called "a very sophisticated, malicious attack."
EU Elections 2019: Critical cyberattacks loom, Estonia warns
The 2019 European elections could be hit by a spate of cyberattacks, which could even prevent the new European Parliament from convening, a report led by the Estonian Information System Authority has warned.
Energy and cyber security: The other capacity gap
Europe’s energy companies have made real progress on cyber security in many ways. But actions speak louder than words, and cyber security needs to be a core component of any utility’s strategy, argues Michael John.
Plan for EU cybersecurity certification receives Parliament approval
A legal proposal to overhaul the EU’s cybersecurity rules passed a major hurdle on Tuesday (10 July) as the European Parliament’s Industry Committee (ITRE) approved a plan to create a voluntary system for certifying the security level of technology products.
Tackling hybrid threats, in Europe and the UK
The June European Council is an opportunity to make sure we have the right measures in place to tackle hostile state threats to security such as cyber attacks, disinformation and meddling in elections, writes Mark Sedwill.
Commission urges EU countries to publicly blame states behind cyber attacks
EU countries have been encouraged to name and shame foreign states that sponsor cybersecurity attacks, in an unusually outspoken announcement from the European Commission.
Parliament demands EU institutions ban Kaspersky Lab cybersecurity products
MEPs have called for the EU institutions to put more money into their in-house cybersecurity units and, in a contentious move, also demanded they stop using products from “malicious” Russian firm Kaspersky Lab.
Nine countries unite against EU export controls on surveillance software
EXCLUSIVE / An EU proposal to impose export controls on technology products that can be used as spyware is at risk of being delayed as a group of nine countries have pushed back against the overhaul.
Wire Taps on Your Apps? ePrivacy and Security: Striking a Balance
Does the ePrivacy Regulation set a high standard for the confidentiality of electronic communications, or is it a far-reaching expansion of government surveillance authority?
Cybersecurity agency hopes for 24/7 crisis response centre in Brussels
The EU cybersecurity agency ENISA wants to open its first Brussels office by mid-2019 to manage major crises around the clock.
National governments reach breakthrough deal on voluntary cybersecurity certification
Diplomats reached a compromise on new cybersecurity rules more quickly and with less controversy than many observers close to the file had expected. VideoPromoted content
Digital success for Europe
Digitalization holds huge potential for the citizens and the institutions of the EU. A modern and digital Europe will be built on reliable communication networks, secure data and digital trust.
Seize the challenge of Big Data and AI, says Tata boss
Europe is ahead in the digital game, says Tata's Consultancy Services COO. But businesses and governments will need to utilise Big Data and Artificial Intelligence to improve services and the quality of life of customers.
First EU cybersecurity law takes effect—with new fines for misbehaving companies
The first EU cybersecurity law went into effect on Wednesday (9 March), as negotiators continue to hammer out details of a second bill that will create even more rules in the area.
The greater the connectivity the greater the risk – Certifying security for consumers
The European Commission proposal for common EU wide cybersecurity certification is an essential step towards safeguarding consumers and businesses as we become increasingly connected in the digital age, write Hanane Taidi and Drewin Nieuwenhuis.
Commission expects EU countries to set ‘high fines’ under new cybersecurity law
European Commission officials who pushed through new cybersecurity legislation set to take effect next week are expecting EU countries to introduce high fines against companies that disobey the rules.
French cybersecurity chief warns against ‘step back into the past’
Draft EU legislation poses a threat to member states that already have sophisticated cybersecurity tests, like France and Germany, the director of France’s cybersecurity agency warned in an interview.
Ansip surprises with proposal to step up work with US on cybersecurity
The European Commission surprised tech policy observers this week when it suggested to amp up transatlantic cooperation on cybersecurity, just as Europe’s relations with the US are under strain following the Facebook data leakage scandal.
Forget the skills gap, in energy cyber security, it’s a chasm
There are frighteningly few cyber security experts with the right skills in the electricity industry, warns Michael John. While there is room for hope in the longer-term, he outlines what can be done now to plug the gaps.
Commission should ‘walk the walk’ on cybersecurity, German chief says
The European Commission should “walk the walk” and use strong encryption to protect its computer networks against hackers---instead of pushing member states to adopt controversial new legislation, the head of Germany’s cybersecurity agency has said.
Banks urged to improve IT systems to cope with crisis
Banks should invest more in IT infrastructure because providing quality data immediately makes all the difference when a bank needs to be resolved in an orderly fashion, the EU's Single Resolution Board has said.