EU to force companies to report hacking (Wired UK)

The European Union is planning to force companies in key internet sectors such as ecommerce, social media and banking to report security breaches as part of a cybersecurity directive.

The policy would mean that companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter are obliged to report any incidences of hacking: "[They] must adopt risk management practices and report major security incidents on their core services," states the policy.

Currently only telecommunications companies are forced to serious Network and Internet Security (NIS) incidents and adopt risk management strategies, with the EU claiming that other businesses essential to the online ecosystem lack the incentives for thorough risk management and reporting.

By forcing the companies to report security incidents, the EU believes that they are more likely to implement effective and appropriate security measures, thus protecting consumers as well as the digital economy.

"The proposed directive includes internet companies because it is absurd to work to protect critical internet infrastructure without obliging such companies to take responsibility for their wider role in this ecosystem," explains the FAQ.

The cybersecurity strategy accompanies NIS proposals and aims to reduce the impact of cyber disruptions and attacks on services.

Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda added:

"The more people rely on the internet the more people rely on it to be secure. A secure internet protects our freedoms and rights and our ability to do business. It's time to take coordinated action -- the cost of not acting is much higher than the cost of acting."

The directive also includes measures requiring that EU member states adopt an NIS strategy and appoint a national NIS-focused authority.

Image: FutUndBeidl / CC BY 2.0

Source: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-02/08/eu-cybersecurity

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