Brussels, 06/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - In Luxembourg on 6 June, the Telecoms Council discussed the European Commission's proposal for a directive to ensure a high and common level of security for information networks in the European Union.
Although the 27 EU member states are unanimous on the need to strengthen the security of information networks, they are more divided on a binding approach imposed by the EU. Most support a mixed approach, which combines a common binding legislative framework, for the security of critical infrastructures in particular, and a voluntary approach on other points. The member states from Northern Europe (Finland, Sweden and Denmark), and also the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands, are more in favour of a pro-active approach and support the exchange of information and cooperation. France has strong reservations, for example, about a binding system as regards sharing information and response to incidents. Others, mainly the former countries of the Eastern bloc (especially Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary and Latvia) are of the opinion that a voluntary approach is not enough to ensure a sufficient level of protection, and are more inclined to accept a binding framework. The issue of resources was also raised frequently, some wondering if the investment necessary for implantation of the European strategy would be excessive in terms of cost.
Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes said she was pleased with the support for the objectives sought by the directive, and took note of the most critical remarks on content. She underlined the need to work in close cooperation and to identify the weak link or links in the (national) strategies set up. She stressed that it was important to react quickly when a major incident took place and that there was no choice. Resistant networks were needed, she said, because the threats are ever stronger. In Kroes' opinion, the proposal on the negotiating table is flexible and allows a minimum level of harmonisation at the European level. The Irish minister for communications, Pat Rabbite, was delighted at the consensus as regards the seriousness of the current threats concerning cybersecurity for the economy and society. He stressed that the threats are global and the solutions must therefore be global, and he highlighted the need to adopt a flexible framework. (IL/transl.fl)