Ilves: EU Needs Comprehensive Cyber Security Strategy
Notwithstanding efforts by individual member states, the EU lacks a holistic strategy for cyber security, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves told the European Commissioner responsible for home affairs on Thursday.
The head of state and Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, who was on a visit to Estonia, said that the cyber awareness of the EU's member states and readiness and capability to deal with new threats varied widely.
"The EU lacks an all-encompassing, comprehensive strategy on cyber security, the best place for drafting which would be the European Commission," said Ilves, who flew to Brussels later in the day to address a conference, also on the topic of security.
Ilves credited Malmström for what he said were consistent efforts to raise awareness of the problem and combat cyber crime. One such area is review of the directive on protection of critical infrastructure, set for this year.
"This is essential, as without the attention of member states to critical infrastructure it will be difficult to ensure security for IT services that support the infrastructure," said Ilves.
He named Estonia, Great Britain and Germany as examples of countries that have dealt with the topic and could offer support to the EC and other member states.
Kristopher Rikken