Debate: European Cybersecurity Competence Centre
Date: WEDNESDAY, 19 MAY 2021
Speaker: Paolo Gentiloni
Language: EN

The Centre is Europe’s new framework to support innovation and industrial policy and cybersecurity. This ecosystem will strengthen the capacities of the cybersecurity technology community, support the resilience of our economy and society from cyberattacks, maintain research excellence and reinforce the competitiveness of EU industry in this field. The Centre will develop and implement – with Member States, industry and the academic community – a common agenda for technology development and for its wide deployment in areas of public interest and in businesses, in particular for SMEs.  On behalf of the Commission I congratulate and thank Rasmus Andresen as the rapporteur, and his shadow rapporteurs, as well as the members of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy for their work in reaching an agreement.  The negotiations were challenging at times, but we achieved a compromise that can fulfil the objective. A strategic advisory group will ensure that all stakeholders will be represented in the decision—making priorities. The voting rules of the governing board with Member States allow the Commission to fulfil its responsibilities under the treaties for the Union budget on the financial contributions by Member States, even if they remain voluntary and we would have wished to see more commitment. I am convinced that this mechanism will incentivise investment by Member States and industry in line with the regulation setting up the Horizon Europe and Digital Europe programmes.  Last, but not least, it was agreed that the Centre should be located in Bucharest.  Following the agreement in December, the Commission has already started the work on setting up the Centre and the Network. The first informal governing board with Member States and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) took place on 16 April. Until the Centre reaches financial autonomy, the Commission will act on its behalf. We are prepared to implement the new MFF programmes.  This new ecosystem and investment in cybersecurity technology is one cornerstone of our new cybersecurity strategy. Another is the Commission proposal on a revised NIS Directive, NIS II. Even if it is not the debate of today, let me say just a few words on this. The second version of the NIS Directive aims to reduce inconsistencies across the internal market by aligning scope, security and incident—reporting requirements, national supervision and enforcement and the capabilities of competent authorities. On behalf of the Commission, I would like to thank the rapporteur, Bart Groothuis, for the engagement in the discussions on this proposal. The Commission looks forward to the report and to continue working on these files. Honourable Members, the EU has the unique opportunity to pool its assets to advance its industrial strategy and leadership in digital technologies and cybersecurity across the digital supply chain, in line with our values and priorities. You can count on the Commission to make sure that the Cybersecurity Competence Centre provides all the necessary impetus to increase our resilience to cyberattacks.