BRUSSELS and HERAKLION, Greece, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The European Union Agency, ENISA, (European Network and Information Security Agency) has today launched online an updated edition of its "Country Reports" on network and information security (NIS) in the Member States and other European countries.

The publication finds that European countries are highly varied in how prepared they are for dealing with cybercrime, network attacks and network resilience. Updated and extended for this third edition, "Country Reports" (http://www.enisa.europa.eu/act/sr/country-reports) features an overview and detailed, separate reports on 30 European countries. Information includes identification of stakeholders and trends.

A key finding is that no pattern exists in the observed European countries with respect to the existence of a national NIS strategy. However, many countries are enhancing their efforts and making progress in this area. Information exchange mechanisms and cooperation amongst key stakeholders also vary from country to country. Successful NIS initiatives - are outlined as blueprints for others to consider. Areas examined include security incident management and reporting, risk management and emerging risks, network resilience, privacy and trust, and awareness raising.

"Country Reports" offers a unique overview of the current NIS landscape in the 27 EU Member States and the three European Economic Area countries [EEA: Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway], without comparing them individually with each other, given the different historical origins of NIS structures in these states. Each national report outlines: the individual country's NIS strategy, regulatory framework and major policy measures; key stakeholders and their mandate, role and responsibilities. They provide an overview of the main NIS activities, stakeholders' interactions; information exchange mechanisms, co-operation platforms, and country-specific facts, trends, and good practices case studies.

The Executive Director of ENISA, Professor Udo Helmbrecht comments:

"This new edition of "Country Reports" provides an essential overview of the NIS landscape and structures in all the EU and EEA Member States. Mapping the IT security position for each country provides a key source of information for sharing of good practices with policy and decision makers."

For Updated Country Reports (http://www.enisa.europa.eu/act/sr/country-reports)

SOURCE ENISA - European Network and Information Security Agency