Brussels, 01/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The commissioner in charge of the digital agenda, Neelie Kroes, has stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in putting together a proper cyber-security policy and developing confidence in cloud computing. “We need to be able to exchange good practices and provide each other with solutions”, said the commissioner at an official dinner held on 30 January by Security and Defence Agenda (SDA).
A few days earlier, Kroes launched a European partnership for cloud computing and explained the importance of a reliable, effective strategy in this field (see EUROPE 10540). She explained that only cooperation between the public and private sectors can bring results. The private sector owns or controls the majority of ICT infrastructure and holds all technical knowledge in terms of new technologies. We must boost the private sector to allow it to make the effort necessary to improve security, communicate attempted cyber-attacks and draw individuals' attention to the dangers of cyber-attacks, she explained. Thanks to Community funding instruments, the European Union will be able to offer solutions to private businesses, which will test the solutions and detect their shortcomings, making it possible to develop instruments with the technological security required. “We can create a new business opportunity: to supply private and public sectors alike with the tools they need to tackle online threats. I want Europe to hold its own in that globally competitive market”, the commissioner said. In a speech at the Microsoft Executive Briefing Centre the same day, Kroes welcomed the proposals of the European Commission on data protection, which will not hinder technological development. She said that the proposed new rules would combine protection with effectiveness. (IL/transl.fl)