By Caribbean News Global 
BRUSSELS, Belgium — The EU is set to boost the security of the internet and other critical network and information systems by establishing a Cybersecurity Competence Centre to pool investment in cybersecurity research, technology and industrial development. The new body, to be based in Bucharest, Romania, will in particular channel cybersecurity-related funding from Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme.
“This ‘European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre’ will work together with a network of national coordination centres designated by member states. The Centre will also bring together the main European stakeholders, including industry, academic and research organisations and other relevant civil society associations, to form a cybersecurity competence community, in order to enhance and spread cybersecurity expertise across the EU,” in addition, “The Council adopted the regulation establishing the Centre and the network today. This will be followed by a final adoption by the European parliament,” the EU said in a press release.
Mariana Vieira da Silva, Portuguese minister of state for the presidency, presidency of the Council, said: “The new Cybersecurity Competence Centre and network will play a key role in helping secure the digital infrastructure so many of us use every day for work and leisure, as well as information systems and networks in vital areas such as health, transport, energy, financial markets and banking systems. It will also bolster the global competitiveness of the EU’s cybersecurity industry, SMEs in particular, and strengthen our leadership and strategic autonomy in the cybersecurity domain.
The Competence Centre will closely cooperate with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA).
