The cyberattack carried out on TV5 Monde in April was an attack on the values that we hold dear in the EU, on freedom of speech, a free media and on our ability to access information.
This attack was short-lived and did not cause serious harm, but it was very visible and serves as a reminder of the potential for cyber criminals to impact our lives.
We need to defend ourselves better against this sort of attack, no matter who by and what their motivation.
The benefits we enjoy from technology need to be protected against criminals and terrorists who want to undermine our values, spread their message, or simply steal money.
Greater cyber security is something we can all contribute to – the EU, Member States, companies and individuals.
From the EU perspective, we are engaged in a wide range of activity to improve cyber security.
Only a few weeks ago, the Commission published the European Agenda on Security.
This document sets out 3 key transnational threats to be addressed in the security domain terrorism, organised crime and cybercrime.
The attack on TV5 was a cybercrime which tried to glorify terrorism and promote the nihilist message of ISIS/Da’esh.
It is therefore at the heart of what we will prioritise in the next years.
On cybercrime, the Agenda proposes reinforcing the capacity of law enforcement authorities, in particular through the European Cybercrime Centre at Europol.
It also proposes to address the obstacles to criminal investigations on cybercrime such as access to evidence.
Implementing existing legislation on attacks against information systems will be another priority.
To combat terrorism, the Agenda proposes to enhance the role of Europol further, by establishing a European Counter Terrorist Centre.
This will be a secure centre for information exchange among national law enforcement authorities.
It will build on the successes of the European Cybercrime Centre.
Terrorists are exploiting the internet to spread their propaganda, radicalise and recruit, communicate and plan and direct terrorist activity.
In response to this worrying trend, the Commission will launch an EU-level forum with the Internet Industry.
The Forum will look at how we can enhance our collective efforts in addressing these issues –
both in terms of reducing accessibility to terrorist material and in countering the terrorist narrative online.
Europol will also establish an Internet Referral Unit on the 1 July to help Member States identify terrorist material online, and then refer it to the Industry with a view to its swift removal.
Cooperation with the private sector is of critical importance, with public-private partnerships to structure a common effort to fight online crime.
In the first half of 2016 the Commission will propose to establish a Public-Private Partnership on cybersecurity in the area of technologies and solutions for online network security.
I would like to highlight that the EU has already done a lot to address cyber security.
It acts as a focal point in the EU’s fight against cybercrime.
In 2013, the EU adopted a Cybersecurity Strategy.
It aims at strengthening cyber resilience, reducing cybercrime and advancing international cyberspace policy.
Finally, ENISA – the EU Agency for Network and Information Security – also contributes to the EU’s response to cybersecurity issues.
It works towards a high level of network and information security.
Both terrorism and cybercrime are dynamic areas that require us to adjust our responses to stay ahead of the perpetrators.
I have made clear that these are priority issues for the Commission.
I will be working to ensure that there is an effective contribution at European level to protect our societies and economies from these challenges.