Education, collaboration needed for tighter security

Raising awareness and encouraging collaboration between governments and the private sector are the main priorities for improving network and information security in Europe this year.

The UK has one of the highest level of security knowledge in Europe, according to the European Network and Information Security Agency (Enisa). Finland, Germany, Italy and Sweden also score highly for security savvy, while newer EU member states require assistance to sufficiently protect their networks and data.

Enisa intends to raise security awareness in EU member states by distributing best practice via its programme of workshops, seminars and publications.

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It also wants to encourage further collaboration between the private sector and governments in order to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology being developed and the way in which European states approach network security.

According to an agency spokesman, around 80 per cent of the key players in the security space come from the private sector. Enisa's permanent stakeholder group includes individuals from companies such as BP, Cisco, IBM Europe, Microsoft and Nokia.

In addition, Enisa aims to promote the understanding of tech and services that impact network and information security - and promote Europe as a leader in network and info security products and services.