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. After more than two years of negations, political agreement was finally reached between European Parliament and Council last December, and the Regulation is expected to enter into force in June.
The Cybersecurity Competence Centre, which will be located in Bucharest, and the related Network of National Coordination Centres, aim at strengthening European cybersecurity capacities, promoting research excellence and reinforcing the competitiveness of the Union’s industry in this field. It will do so in particular by deciding on and managing cybersecurity funds from the Digital and Horizon Europe Programs, as well as from Member States.
The deciding body of the Centre and Network is the Governing Board, which is composed of representatives from all Member States (they provide one Board member each), the Commission (two members), and the EU agency for Cybersecurity–ENISA (one permanent observer).
The Regulation entrusts the Commission with setting up and running the Centre until it can operate autonomously. The Commission is already working with the Romanian authorities about practical aspects of the establishment of the Centre in Bucharest, and will discuss today with the rest of Member States about progress on this file.
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
- Cyber Competence Network
- Press release (2016) - Commission signs agreement with industry on cybersecurity and steps up efforts to tackle cyber-threats