Cyber security: EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes’ first visit to new ENISA office in Athens

Among the points on the agenda was discussion of the perspectives of the political context and technical trends in global and European cyber security as well as ENISA’s role.

The Executive Director of ENISA, Professor Udo Helmbrecht commented: “We are very honoured to have Commissioner Kroes visiting us in Athens. I am pleased to recall that in 2013, the agency managed to successfully transfer staff and set up the new office with no disruptions to its operations. The new regulation and the Athens office mean that ENISA now can be more effective and more flexible. This is excellent news for cyber security in Europe. In 2014, we will be working more closely with our cyber security prevention and preparedness work with the EU, the Member States and Europol.”

Since 2009, the Greek state has kindly provided a bureau du passage office in Athens for the Agency. It became operational in 2013, and the new regulation formalised staff being based in Athens. The objective is to reduce mission costs, the carbon “footprint” as well as to increase efficiency and to match the Agency’s operational needs regarding flexibility.

EU Cyber Security Strategy and the proposal for an EU Network and Information Security Directive, and the new ENISA regulation 526/2013.