Telecommunications Council resolves to boost information security
At a meeting of the Telecommunications Council on 5 December in Brussels, European Ministers adopted a resolution aimed at securing a cohesive EU strategy on network and information security. The resolution will offer an integrated approach to the management of information and network security and assign responsibility for security to players within the public and private sectors. As a result, a European unit will be appointed with the remit of boosting coordinated security efforts among the Member States. 'The threats posed to network and information security are by their very nature international,' said Danish Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Helge Sander. 'With today's resolutions we propose that network and information security be made a fundamental management task in both the public and the private sectors.' Network and information systems support critical infrastructures in the energy, transport and financial sectors, and the volume and sensitivity of information being exchanged between systems has increased enormously. The Telecommunications Council feels that the increased importance of secure systems calls for measures to safeguard them and ensure the confidence of citizens. Mr Sander, who is the current chairman of the Telecoms Council, went on to explain that: 'Network and information security has without doubt become a key factor in economic and social progress. IT poses new challenges and calls for dedicated efforts from us all. Until now the Member States have tended towards different perspectives and different approaches. The Council Resolution concerning the approach to a European culture of network and information security is an important step towards a cohesive European strategy in this area.' During the meeting, ministers also adopted a resolution on the implementation of the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, which sets the agenda for the EU's efforts to advance the information society. The Action Plan is divided into concrete initiatives devoted to four main areas: e-government, e-commerce, e-health, e-learning, and two horizontal areas: information security and broadband.