The Commission adopted its proposal for a Council Framework
Decision on "Attacks against information systems" seeks to ensure
that Europe's law enforcement and judicial authorities can take
action against crimes for which existing laws were not designed. It
also aims to encourage and promote information security.
Antonio Vitorino, European Commissioner for Justice and Home
Affairs, said:
"Member States' laws contain some
significant gaps which could hamper the ability of law enforcement
and judicial authorities to respond to crimes against information
systems. Given the trans-national nature of hacking, virus and
denial of service attacks, it is important that the European Union
takes action in this area to ensure effective police and judicial
co-operation."
The Framework Decision that is now being proposed would
approximate criminal law rules and facilitate judicial co-operation
for hacking, described by the Commission as “illegal access to
information systems” and denial of service and virus attacks –
described as “illegal interference with information systems.”
The Commission says its proposed Framework Decision is
technology neutral and “takes account of the broader Information
Society context.”
The Commission says the proposed Framework Decision also takes
into account other international activities such as the work of the
G8 and the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime.
