EC sets up joint cybersecurity task force

The European Commission is planning to set up a Joint Cyber Unit to tackle the rising number of serious cyber incidents impacting public services, it said June 23.

“Advanced and co-ordinated responses in the field of cybersecurity have become increasingly necessary, as cyberattacks grow in number, scale and consequences, impacting heavily our security,” it said.

It did not give any examples of the threats it had faced, although last month's cyber-attack on a major US oil products pipeline shows how effective these attacks can be.

The unit will bring together resources and expertise available to the EU to ward off incidents and crises. “Cybersecurity communities, including civilian, law enforcement, diplomatic and cyber defence communities, as well as private sector partners, too often operate separately,” it said.

The aim is to ensure that the Joint Cyber Unit will move to the operational phase by June 30, 2022 and that it will be fully established a year later.

Executive vice-president for a Europe fit for the digital age Margrethe Vestager said: "Cybersecurity is a cornerstone of a digital and connected Europe. And in today's society, responding to threats in a coordinated manner is paramount. The Joint Cyber Unit will contribute to that goal. Together we can really make a difference.”