Brussels, 24/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the Council adopted without debate a framework decision on a degree of harmonisation of definitions of attacks against information on computers. Illegal access, attacks on the integrity of the system or is data are define as criminal offences “at least in serious cases”. In cases of illegal access, Member States can limit sanctions to security infringements. Encouragement, assistance or complicity in these infringements can also be punished. Member States will have to decide on effective criminal sentences that were proportionate and dissuasive for all infringements, which can range from a year's imprisonment for hacking into system or data. The ceiling has will range form 2-5 years if the offences are committed by criminal gangs. National legislation will also have to include sanctions against moral persons implicated. Member States have two years to apply the framework decision. The political agreement in the text dates back to 2003.