Commission welcomes political agreement on the Cybersecurity Competence Centre and Network
Today, the EU institutions have reached a political agreement, subject to formal approval by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, on the Cybersecurity Competence Centre and Network, an initiative that aims to improve and strengthen technology and industrial cybersecurity capacities of the EU and help create a safe online environment.
The Cybersecurity Competence Centre, which will be located in Bucharest, and the Network of National Coordination Centres aim at strengthening European cybersecurity capacities, shielding our economy and society from cyber attacks, maintaining and promoting research excellence and reinforcing the competitiveness of the Union’s industry in this field.
The Centre and the Network will pool resources from the EU, its Member States and the industry to improve and strengthen technology and industrial cybersecurity capacities, enhancing the EU’s open strategic autonomy. By managing the cybersecurity funds under the next long-term EU budget, the Centre will source funding from the Digital Europe Programme and Horizon Europe, as well as contributions from Member States.
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, said: “If we want people and businesses to make the most of digital services, they need to trust them. We are increasingly dependent on digital infrastructures and applications. And their security is critical for the entire European society and economy. We need to make sure we have all elements in place, including a robust cybersecurity industry, to create a safe online environment, where EU citizens can exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms, and where businesses can prosper.”
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, added: “I strongly welcome the agreement found on the cybersecurity competence centre – a pillar of the cybersecurity strategy that we will present next week. It will help us reinforce our industrial and technological capacities in cybersecurity, including through projects supported jointly by EU and national budgets. And by contributing to a common, European cyber technological roadmap, it will enhance our strategic autonomy at a time when cybersecurity is more needed than ever.“
The Cybersecurity Competence Centre and Network will help the Union and Member States to take a proactive, longer-term and strategic perspective to cybersecurity research, development, and industrial policy. This approach should help not only to come up with breakthrough solutions to the cybersecurity challenges which the private and public sectors are facing, but also support effective deployment of these solutions. The Centre and the Network together will enhance our technological sovereignty through large-scale Cybersecurity projects in areas such as Cyber Threat Intelligence, Cyber secured hardware and operating systems, and security certification.
Furthermore, they will allow relevant research and industrial communities, as well as public authorities, to gain access to key capacities, such as testing and experimentation facilities, which are often beyond the reach of individual Member States due to insufficient financial and human resources.
Next Steps
Following today’s political agreement, Member States will confirm the agreement on 18 December during the Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union (‘Coreper’). The formal adoption from the European Parliament and the Council is expected to take place in January 2021. The European Commission will then start setting up the Cybersecurity Competence Centre.
Background
In September 2018, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and the Network of National Coordination Centres. During the previous legislative term, two trilogue meetings took place, which however were not conclusive. The updated Council negotiation mandate was obtained by the Croatian Presidency in June 2020.
More information
Proposal for a European Cybersecurity Competence Network and Centre
Key Questions on the Proposal for a European Cybersecurity Competence Network and Centre
European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre
Public-private partnership on cybersecurity
Press release (2016) – Commission signs agreement with industry on cybersecurity and steps up efforts to tackle cyber-threats
