Take a look at some of the activities conducted and supported by the security agency

Mar 14, 2014 09:42 GMT  ·  By

ENISA, the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security, celebrates 10 years of activity. On March 14, 2004, the agency’s first regulation was adopted by the European Union.

During these ten years, the agency has contributed a great deal to securing Europe’s cyberspace. ENISA has provided flash notes on major cyberattacks, published annual threat landscape reports and incident reports, and supported the EU Cyber Security of the Month and other similar initiatives.

European Union member states have increasingly started requesting advice from ENISA regarding cyber security issues. If, in 2010, only two requests were recorded, this year the number has already reached 14.

The cyber security agency has also supported the creation of Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) all over Europe, their number reaching 25 in 2014.

Since 2010, ENISA has also been organizing cyber security exercises to help organizations deal with possible attacks aimed at their networks. The exercises conducted so far are Cyber Europe 2010, Cyber Atlantic 2011 and Cyber Europe 2012.

“I am proud of what ENISA has achieved so far by successfully giving support to strengthen the cyber security capability in Europe through its prevention and preparedness activities,” noted Professor Udo Helmbrecht, the executive director of ENISA.

“Although we are proud of what we have achieved so far over the past decade, we are still not satisfied. The battle with the cyber criminals is ongoing, like an ‘eternal marathon’. In addition, the political and societal demands on cyber security are constantly rising,” Helmbrecht added.

“This will be even more so in the future. We will face an increased need for more cyber security and a bigger, stronger and more enhanced ENISA in a digital society. This is necessary in order to reap the benefits of new technologies and business models, whilst containing the associated risks to a reasonable level.”

Vice President and EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes has praised ENISA for its work.

“Europe's citizens and businesses are increasingly going online –bringing a huge benefit to our economy and society. But they have the right to stay secure when they do so: and they won't use what they can't trust,” Kroes said.

“Combined with strong EU legislation for network and information security, ENISA's work is helping us build that trust and security, to make Europe the world's safest online space. I congratulate ENISA for their work over the last 10 years –and wish them the best of luck for the next 10 too.”