Brussels, 16/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 16 April, the European Parliament in plenary session adopted the new regulation on the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), by 646 votes to 45. A political agreement was reached on 29 January between the Parliament and Council of Ministers, an agreement that was formally endorsed by the Council on 8 February. The Parliament has now also given its formal endorsement. The regulation aims to give the European agency a new seven-year mandate to take effect as of 13 September 2013. An additional financial envelope and more staff are envisaged in order to step up ENISA's role. The agency will have a clear mandate for supporting the Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTS) in countering cyber attacks, as requested by the committee on industry (ITRE). National agencies and European institutions will, moreover, be able to use ENISA expertise as a support in the event of breaches in the network protection systems. The administrative head office of ENISA will remain based in Heraklion, but an operational arm will be opened in Athens in order to better manage the agency's activities. “Today's vote offers a new start for a new ENISA: with expanded tasks, a more agile and efficient organisation and governance. This will help secure European networks and information systems, in line with our cyber-security strategy”, Commissioner Neelie Kroes, who is responsible for the Digital Agenda, was pleased to state. (IL/transl.jl)