ENISA: Concerted EU efforts are needed to avoid a ‘digital 9/11’ and combat cyber threats

This was released today by ENISA:

ENISA, the EU Agency for European Network and Information Security, today highlighted key online security issues in Europe, showcasing how it helps to counter cyber attacks, spam and risks of online social networking. The Agency also underlined EU Member States’ imbalances in addressing security threats at a media briefing in Brussels. ENISA concludes that Member States have a long way to go in safeguarding the e-economy. Europe should not wait for a ‘digital 9/11’, but instead reduce imbalances in national security approaches.

The Agency underlined the crucial importance of Network and Information Security (NIS) for the European economy, in particular in regards to the i2010 goals. Today, 30% of global trade is ‘digitally dependent’. Spam costs business about €64,5bn in 2007, double the 2005 figure (Source: Ferris). As only 6% of spam reaches mailboxes, the problem is perceived to be under control. However, it is growing in quantity, size and bandwidth and remains a costly problem, with 94 % of spam being the invisible part of the ‘iceberg’. The Agency highlighted its success in mitigating cyber attacks by supporting the set up of ‘Computer Emergency Response Teams’ (CERTs), akin to ‘digital fire brigades’. In 2005, only eight EU Member States had governmental CERTs, whereas in 2008 the number has almost doubled to 14, with ten more planned within the next one to two years.

The Agency is an Expert body, providing independent, expert advice to the EU and its Member States, in e.g. Risk Management/Assessment, Awareness Raising, security policies, resilience, etc.

Read entire article.

General Report 2007:

• Executive Summary (low resolution)
• Executive Summary (high resolution for professional printing)
• Annual General Report 2007 (adopted but financial/accounting figures are provisional. Final, designed version scheduled for July 2008.)

As far as I can see, luckily Belgium is on the list for a planned government CERT (see picture above). We formed a gap in the picture on the left. Kudos to the BELNET CERT team for handling as much cases as possible outside their constituency so far. Let's hope this will get the help they need.