Skip to main content

EU steps up efforts to tackle cyber threats

The Commission has launched a new public-private partnership with the non-profit European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) on cyber-security that is expected to trigger US$2 billion (€1.8 billion) of investment by 2020. This is part of a series of new initiatives to better equip Europe against cyber-attacks and to strengthen the competitiveness of its cyber-security sector. The EU plans to invest US$500 million (€450 million) under its research and innovation (R&I) programme Horizon 2020, with the rema
July 7, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The Commission has launched a new public-private partnership with the non-profit European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) on cyber-security that is expected to trigger US$2 billion (€1.8 billion) of investment by 2020. This is part of a series of new initiatives to better equip Europe against cyber-attacks and to strengthen the competitiveness of its cyber-security sector.

The EU plans to invest US$500 million (€450 million) under its research and innovation (R&I) programme Horizon 2020, with the remainder coming from the private sector.

Cyber-security market organisations, represented by the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO), are expected to invest three times more.

This partnership will also include members from national, regional and local public administrations, research centres and academia. The aim of the partnership is to foster cooperation at early stages of the research and innovation process and to build cyber-security solutions for various sectors, such as energy, health, transport and finance.

According to a recent survey by Price Waterhouse Coopers, at least 80 per cent of European companies have experienced at least one cyber-security incident over the last year and the number of security incidents across all industries worldwide rose by 38 per cent in 2015. As part of its Digital Single Market strategy the Commission wants to reinforce cooperation across borders, and between all actors and sectors active in cyber-security, and to help develop innovative and secure technologies, products and services throughout the EU.
UTC

Related Content

  • September 19, 2017
    European tunnel safety steps up a gear
    David Crawford reviews the latest safety systems installed in European tunnels. Blueprints for the safer road tunnels of the future are emerging fast as European operators invest in technologies to enhance travellers’ prospects of surviving an accident. Central to modern emergency planning is the principle that, following an incident, drivers should be enabled to rescue themselves and their passengers with the aid of prompt and correct identification and communication of the hazard. Roles for cooperativ
  • December 4, 2012
    European Commission aids deployment of eCall
    The European Commission has adopted a measure to ensure that by 2015 vehicles can call emergency services in the event of a crash. The Commission wants the life-saving eCall system to be fitted to all new models of cars and light vehicles from 2015. eCall automatically dials Europe's single emergency number 112 in the event of a serious accident and communicates the vehicle's location to the emergency services. According to some estimates, eCall could speed emergency response times by 40per cent in urban ar
  • May 11, 2015
    EU funding for transport research projects
    The EU's TEN-T programme has awarded 75 research and innovation projects a total of US$540 million in research grants, aiming to make Europe's transport systems greener, safer, and more competitive. All transport modes are covered including road, rail, water and air transport, as well as environmentally friendly vehicles, intelligent transport systems (ITS) and improvements to logistics and freight systems. Numerous projects are concerned with sustainable urban mobility, such as the US$4.5 million Sil
  • July 15, 2015
    Transport MEPs set out steps to achieve transport roadmap goals
    To ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of EU transport, concrete measures are still needed, said MEPs in a report adopted in the Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) this week and intended to feed into the Commission review of the 2011 White Paper on Transport. Further efforts to boost air, road, rail and maritime transport, reduce road injuries and close loopholes in passenger rights legislation should be made, they add. The transport sector is a driving force of the EU economy and should