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Remarks by High Representative Catherine Ashton at press conference on the launch of the EU's Cyber Security Strategy

Brussels, 7 February 2013

EU Cyber Security Strategy press conference
SPEECH/13/108 (see the source)
by Catherine Ashton
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the E

Ladies and gentlemen.

I am very pleased to be here today with Commissioners Kroes and Malmstroem to present the EU's Cyber Security Strategy.sentence permalink

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This is our vision of how to prevent and respond to the growing problem of cyber attacks and cyber crime.sentence permalink

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We all know what a huge difference the internet has made to people's lives across the world.sentence permalink

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As the Arab Spring showed, the internet and social media can play a vital role in allowing young people, women and the marginalised to link up and call for change.sentence permalink

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But we also know that the web has a dark side.sentence permalink

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There are an estimated 150,000 computer viruses in circulation daily, and a similar number of computers are compromised every day.sentence permalink

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The cost of cybercrime is hundreds of billions of euros every year.sentence permalink

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Cyber attacks on major international organisations and governments have become a daily reality.sentence permalink

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And I would like to point particularly to the need to protect our children from those who would threaten or abuse them.sentence permalink

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This is unacceptable in every walk of life, and it is unacceptable in cyberspace too. sentence permalink

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These two sides to the coin mean that we have to find a fine balance in our policy-making.sentence permalink

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At the heart of our policy is our firm belief that the protection of fundamental rights is as important in the virtual world as it is in the real world – we are united in Europe on this principle.sentence permalink

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For cyberspace to remain open and free, the same norms, principles and values that we uphold offline must also apply online.sentence permalink

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The European Union is determined to promote and defend its values online. For everyone to enjoy the benefits of cyberspace it has to remain free and open.sentence permalink

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It is a guiding principle of EU Cyber diplomacy. But we also have to recognise our responsibilities.sentence permalink

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We need to agree the norms of behaviour in cyberspace between countries.sentence permalink

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Some important initiatives have already been launched to build trust and confidence between countries.sentence permalink

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There is a need to establish crisis communication lines and to enhance dialogues on cyber issues.sentence permalink

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Trust and confidence should be improved not only between states, but also between private and public sector.sentence permalink

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The Strategy we are launching today sets out a number of priorities to improve IT systems, reduce cyber crime, and establish an international cyberspace policy for the EU. sentence permalink

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This means looking at how Member States can work better together and what the EU institutions and agencies can do to help them.sentence permalink

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It means improving cooperation between different EU policy areas, and promoting coordination between the military and civilian sides.sentence permalink

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It means working closely with our international partners, the private sector and civil society.sentence permalink

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Ladies and gentlemen:

The expansion of the internet has been a success story.sentence permalink

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The new EU strategy is an important moment to work together for a safe, secure and free internet.sentence permalink

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Thank you.

Useful links:

IP/13/94: EU Cybersecurity plan to protect open internet and online freedom and opportunitysentence permalink

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MEMO/13/71: Proposed Directive on Network and Information Security – frequently asked questionssentence permalink

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SPEECH/13/105: Stepping up the fight against cybercriminals to secure a free and open Internetsentence permalink

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SPEECH/13/104: Using cybersecurity to promote European valuessentence permalink

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Joint communication: Cybersecurity Strategy of the European Union: An Open, Safe and Secure Cyberspace - JOIN(2013) 1 final - 7/2/2013sentence permalink

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For audio-visual material please see EBS websitesentence permalink

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