CYBER SECURITY : COMMISSION IMPOSES OBLIGATIONS ON PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS.

Operators of critical infrastructure and key internet companies will have to apply cyber security measures and report "significant" incidents to competent national authorities. The latter will have to be set up by EU member states. Unveiled on 7 February by the European Commission, the draft directive on the security of networks and information systems is designed to step up the fight against cyber attacks in the European Union. It is part of the global EU strategy on cyber security presented in parallel by Commissioners Neelie Kroes (Digital Agenda) and Cecilia Malmstrom (home affairs) and High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton (see separate article).

"The more we depend on the virtual world, the more we need it to be secure" and "there is no true freedom without security," stressed Commissioner Kroes. Cyber security aims to protect networks and information systems from cyber incidents. These have multiple origins, including natural disasters, human...