European consultation on cyber incidents to prepare a legislation proposal on e-security

The European Commission is seeking the views of governments, businesses, citizens about their experiences and EU possible responses to cyber incidents to help it prepare a legislative proposal on network and information security, which will be an important element of the upcoming EU strategy on Cyber security. Feedback received will help the Commission draw up an approach to possible future risk management and security breach reporting requirements that would affect businesses in particular. The consultation runs until 12 October 2012.

Cyber incidents are becoming more frequent. In 2011, web-based attacks increased by 36% over one year and there was a five-fold increase in companies reporting security incidents with a financial impact between 2007 and 2010 (5%-20%). And the risk is growing. In the next decade there is a 10% risk of a major Critical Information Infrastructure incident causing more than $250 billion in economic damage, according to the World Economic Forum.

This is also a global challenge since many cyber incidents and attacks originate outside the EU. The overarching aim of the Strategy is to ensure a secure and trustworthy digital environment where EU fundamental rights and core values, are promoted and protected.


More information about this European consultation.

Debate on the definition of SMEs

The European Commission announced last week, in a review of the SmallBusiness Act (SBA) held in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), its intention to open a consultation on the definition of SMEs in the course of 2012.

At present SMEs are defined by the following 3 parameters:

-Micro-entities are companies with up to 10 employees;
-small companies employ up to 50 workers, whilst;
-medium-sized enterprises contain up to 250 employees.

However the definition of a company for specific tax or regulatory purposes may change as a range of other criteria are also taken into account under different rule

The announcement received diverse reactions from stakeholders, some of which ask what the purpose of such a consultation will be.

More information