BETA


2017/2068(INI) Fight against cybercrime

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead LIBE VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI Elissavet (icon: PPE PPE) DALLI Miriam (icon: S&D S&D), PROCTER John (icon: ECR ECR), GRIESBECK Nathalie (icon: ALDE ALDE), ALBRECHT Jan Philipp (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE)
Committee Opinion INTA
Committee Opinion ITRE
Committee Opinion IMCO VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen (icon: ECR ECR)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2018/01/22
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2017/10/03
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2017/10/03
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 603 votes to 27, with 39 abstentions, a resolution on the fight against cybercrime.

Background : Europol's assessment of the threat posed by organised crime on the Internet (IOCTA) of 28 September 2016 indicated that cybercrime (zombie networks and malware etc.) is increasing in intensity, complexity and scale . 80% of companies in Europe have experienced at least one cybersecurity incident.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the risk of being groomed by paedophiles and other forms of online sexual exploitation. A considerable number of cybercrimes remain unprosecuted and unpunished.

Given the cross-border nature of cybercrime as well as the common cybersecurity threats faced by the EU, Parliament called for enhanced cooperation and information exchange between police and judicial authorities and cybercrime experts is essential for conducting effective investigations in cyberspace and obtaining electronic evidence.

On a general level , Members suggested streamlining common definitions of cybercrime, while stressing that the fight against cybercrime should be first and foremost about safeguarding and hardening critical infrastructures , including, among others, energy and electricity supply and financial structures. They strongly condemned any system interference undertaken or directed by a foreign nation or its agents to disrupt the democratic process of another country.

Parliament also recommended:

adopting an action plan for the protection of children’s rights online and offline in cyberspace; putting in place all the necessary legal measures to combat the phenomenon of online violence against women and cyberbullying; giving Eurojust and Europol the means to improve the identification of victims and fight criminal networks of sexual offenders and accelerate the detection, analysis and reporting of child pornography material both online and offline; ensure that illegal online content is removed immediately by legal means.

Prevention : in the context of EU's cybersecurity strategy review, the Commission is invited to:

identify network and information security vulnerabilities of European Critical Infrastructure , promote the development of resilient systems and assess the situation with regard to the fight against cybercrime in the Union and the Member States; launch awareness-raising, information and prevention campaigns (with educational programmes) to ensure that all citizens, in particular children and other vulnerable users, but also central and local governments, and private sector actors, especially SMEs, are aware of the risks posed by cybercrime; promote security measures such as encryption and anonymisation tools.

Member States should intensify the exchange of information, through Eurojust, Europol and ENISA, as well as best practice sharing via the European CSIRT (Cyber Security Incident Response Teams) and the CERTs (Computer Emergency Response Teams). They should also invest in education as a solution to the lack of qualified IT professionals working on cybersecurity.

Enhance the responsibility of service providers : Members called for closer cooperation between competent authorities and service providers to accelerate mutual legal assistance . Providers of electronic communications services established in a third country should designate in writing representatives in the Union.

In view of the growing accessibility of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Members stated that attention must be paid to the safety of all devices and to promote the security by design approach. They stressed the need to protect law enforcement databases from security incidents and unlawful access. They also encouraged service providers to adhere to the Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online.

Member States are urged to set up CERTs to which businesses and consumers can report malicious emails and websites as foreseen by the network and information security Directive (NIS).

Strengthening police and judicial cooperation : Parliament stressed the need to allow law enforcement authorities to have lawful access to relevant information, in the limited circumstances where such access is necessary and proportionate for reasons of security and justice.

Member States should not to impose any obligation on encryption providers that would result in the weakening or compromising of the security of their networks or services, such as the creation or facilitation of ‘ back doors ’. Feasible solutions must be offered where finding them is imperative for justice and security.

According to Members, lawful interception can be a highly effective measure to combat unlawful hacking, on condition that it is necessary, proportionate, based on due legal process and in full compliance with fundamental rights and EU data protection law and case law.

Electronic evidence : Parliament called for a common European approach to criminal justice. It stressed the need to find means to secure and obtain e-evidence more rapidly, as well as the importance of close cooperation between law enforcement authorities , third countries and service providers active on European territory.

The Commission should propose a European legal framework for e-evidence including harmonised rules to determine the status of service providers, whether domestic or foreign, and oblige them to respond to requests from other Member States. This framework should provide for adequate safeguards concerning the rights and freedoms of all parties concerned.

Lastly, Parliament deplored the absence of binding international legislation on cybercrime and urged the Member States and the European institutions to work towards establishing a convention on the matter.

Documents
2017/10/03
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2017/10/02
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2017/07/26
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the own-initiative report drawn up by Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI (EPP, EL) on the fight against cybercrime.

Background : Europol's assessment of the threat posed by organised crime on the Internet (IOCTA) of 28 September 2016 indicated that cybercrime (zombie networks and malware etc.) is increasing in intensity, complexity and causing ever-greater economic and social damage, affecting the fundamental rights of individuals. 80% of companies in Europe have experienced at least one cybersecurity incident.

Children who use the internet at an increasingly early age are particularly vulnerable to the risk of being groomed by paedophiles and other forms of online sexual exploitation.

Faced with these challenges, the report suggested clarifying the definitions of cybercrime to ensure that EU institutions and Member States share a common legal definitions.

On a general level, Members recommended the:

rapid transposition of Directive 2011/93/EC on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography and the adoption of an action plan for the protection of children's rights online and offline in cyberspace; establishment of juridical measures to fight against the phenomenon of online violence against women and cyberbullying; guarantee that illegal online content should be removed immediately by due legal process.

To be effective, cybersecurity strategies should be based on fundamental freedoms and rights.

Prevention : in the context of the review of the EU's cybersecurity strategy, the Commission is invited to:

identify network and information security vulnerabilities of European Critical Infrastructure , promote the development of resilient systems and assess the situation with regard to the fight against cybercrime in the Union and the Member States; launch awareness-raising, information and prevention campaigns (with educational programmes) to ensure that all citizens, in particular children and other vulnerable users, but also central and local governments, and private sector actors, especially SMEs, are aware of the risks posed by cybercrime.

Member States should intensify the exchange of information , through Eurojust, Europol and ENISA, as well as best practice sharing via the European CSIRT (Cyber Security Incident Response Teams) and the CERTs (Computer Emergency Response Teams), with regard to the problems they face in the fight against cybercrime.

Enhance the responsibility of service providers : Members called for closer cooperation between competent authorities and service providers to accelerate mutual legal assistance and mutual recognition procedures in the areas of competence provided for in the European legal framework. Providers of electronic communications services established in a third country should designate in writing representatives in the Union.

In view of innovation trends and the growing accessibility of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Members stated that attention must be paid to the safety of all devices and to promote the security by design approach.

They stressed the need to protect law enforcement databases from security incidents and unlawful access. They also encouraged service providers to adhere to the Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online.

Strengthening police and judicial cooperation : the report stressed the need to allow law enforcement authorities to have lawful access to relevant information, in the limited circumstances where such access is necessary and proportionate for reasons of security and justice.

Members called on the not to impose any obligation on encryption providers that would result in the weakening or compromising of the security of their networks or services, such as the creation or facilitation of ‘ back doors ’.

Feasible solutions must be offered where finding them is imperative for justice and security.

According to Members, lawful interception can be a highly effective measure to combat unlawful hacking, on condition that it is necessary, proportionate, based on due legal process and in full compliance with fundamental rights and EU data protection law and case law.

Electronic evidence : the report called for a common European approach to criminal justice. It stressed the need to find means to secure and obtain e-evidence more rapidly, as well as the importance of close cooperation between law enforcement authorities, third countries and service providers active on European territory.

In order to strengthen capacity-building at European level , the report called on ENISA to continuously evaluate the threat level and encouraged the Commission to invest in the IT capacity as well as the defence and resilience of the critical infrastructure of the EU institutions in order to reduce the EU’s vulnerability to serious cyberattacks originating from large criminal organisations.

Documents
2017/07/11
   EP - Vote in committee
2017/06/13
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/06/09
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2017/06/09
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2017/05/18
   CSL - Resolution/conclusions adopted by Council
2017/05/18
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2017/05/18
   CSL - Council Meeting
2017/05/11
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2017/02/09
   EP - VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen (ECR) appointed as rapporteur in IMCO
2017/01/30
   EP - VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI Elissavet (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in LIBE

Documents

Activities

Votes

A8-0272/2017 - Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi - Résolution 03/10/2017 12:42:41.000 #

2017/10/03 Outcome: +: 603, 0: 39, -: 27
DE IT FR ES PL RO CZ BE SE NL BG EL PT GB HU AT SK FI LT HR IE DK LV SI MT LU EE CY
Total
85
66
65
52
49
31
21
19
18
25
16
20
17
51
14
17
12
12
10
10
9
12
7
7
6
5
5
6
icon: PPE PPE
195

Finland PPE

Abstain (1)

3

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg PPE

3

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Cyprus PPE

1
icon: S&D S&D
177

Netherlands S&D

3
3

Croatia S&D

2

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

1

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

3

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Cyprus S&D

2
icon: ALDE ALDE
62

Romania ALDE

3

Sweden ALDE

2

Portugal ALDE

1

Croatia ALDE

For (1)

1

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Denmark ALDE

2

Latvia ALDE

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

2
icon: ECR ECR
54

Italy ECR

2

Romania ECR

For (1)

1

Czechia ECR

2

Belgium ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

2

Greece ECR

For (1)

1

Finland ECR

1

Lithuania ECR

1

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

Latvia ECR

For (1)

1

Cyprus ECR

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
46

Italy Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Spain Verts/ALE

3

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
47

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3

Portugal GUE/NGL

For (1)

3

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Ireland GUE/NGL

3

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

2
icon: NI NI
15

Germany NI

For (1)

1

France NI

Against (1)

2

Poland NI

Abstain (1)

2

United Kingdom NI

For (1)

Against (2)

3

Hungary NI

2
icon: EFDD EFDD
36

France EFDD

1

Poland EFDD

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Sweden EFDD

2

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1
icon: ENF ENF
35

Germany ENF

Against (1)

1

Poland ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Romania ENF

1

Belgium ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

4

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1
AmendmentsDossier
431 2017/2068(INI)
2017/06/09 LIBE 431 amendments...
source: 606.071

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

committees/0/shadows/3
name
ERNST Cornelia
group
European United Left - Nordic Green Left
abbr
GUE/NGL
docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE604.566
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/LIBE-PR-604566_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.071
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/LIBE-AM-606071_EN.html
docs/2/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.072
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/LIBE-AM-606072_EN.html
docs/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.009&secondRef=02
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/IMCO-AD-606009_EN.html
events/1/type
Old
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
New
Committee referral announced in Parliament
events/2/type
Old
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
New
Vote in committee
events/3
date
2017-07-26T00:00:00
type
Committee report tabled for plenary
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-8-2017-0272_EN.html title: A8-0272/2017
summary
events/3
date
2017-07-26T00:00:00
type
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-8-2017-0272_EN.html title: A8-0272/2017
summary
events/4/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20171002&type=CRE
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-8-2017-10-02-TOC_EN.html
events/6
date
2017-10-03T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2017-0366_EN.html title: T8-0366/2017
summary
events/6
date
2017-10-03T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2017-0366_EN.html title: T8-0366/2017
summary
procedure/Modified legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 159
procedure/Other legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 159
docs/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.009
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.009&secondRef=02
docs/4/body
EC
events/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0272&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-8-2017-0272_EN.html
events/6/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0366
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2017-0366_EN.html
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
committee
LIBE
rapporteur
name: VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI Elissavet date: 2017-01-30T00:00:00 group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
committee
LIBE
date
2017-01-30T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI Elissavet group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
committees/3
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Internal Market and Consumer Protection
committee
IMCO
rapporteur
name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen date: 2017-02-09T00:00:00 group: European Conservatives and Reformists abbr: ECR
committees/3
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Internal Market and Consumer Protection
committee
IMCO
date
2017-02-09T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen group: European Conservatives and Reformists abbr: ECR
docs/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.009&secondRef=02
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.009
activities
  • date: 2017-05-18T00:00:00 body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) meeting_id: 3539
  • date: 2017-05-18T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: IMCO date: 2017-02-09T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection rapporteur: group: ECR name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen body: EP responsible: False committee_full: International Trade committee: INTA body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: DALLI Miriam group: ECR name: PROCTER John group: ALDE name: GRIESBECK Nathalie group: GUE/NGL name: ERNST Cornelia group: Verts/ALE name: ALBRECHT Jan Philipp responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2017-01-30T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI Elissavet
  • date: 2017-07-11T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: IMCO date: 2017-02-09T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection rapporteur: group: ECR name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen body: EP responsible: False committee_full: International Trade committee: INTA body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: DALLI Miriam group: ECR name: PROCTER John group: ALDE name: GRIESBECK Nathalie group: GUE/NGL name: ERNST Cornelia group: Verts/ALE name: ALBRECHT Jan Philipp responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2017-01-30T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI Elissavet
  • date: 2017-07-26T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0272&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A8-0272/2017 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2017-10-02T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20171002&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2017-10-03T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0366 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0366/2017 body: EP type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
commission
  • body: EC dg: Migration and Home Affairs commissioner: AVRAMOPOULOS Dimitris
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
committee
LIBE
date
2017-01-30T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI Elissavet group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
committees/0
body
EP
responsible
False
committee
IMCO
date
2017-02-09T00:00:00
committee_full
Internal Market and Consumer Protection
rapporteur
group: ECR name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen
committees/1
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
International Trade
committee
INTA
opinion
False
committees/1
body
EP
responsible
False
committee_full
International Trade
committee
INTA
committees/2
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Industry, Research and Energy
committee
ITRE
opinion
False
committees/2
body
EP
responsible
False
committee_full
Industry, Research and Energy
committee
ITRE
committees/3
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Internal Market and Consumer Protection
committee
IMCO
date
2017-02-09T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen group: European Conservatives and Reformists abbr: ECR
committees/3
body
EP
shadows
responsible
True
committee
LIBE
date
2017-01-30T00:00:00
committee_full
Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
rapporteur
group: EPP name: VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI Elissavet
council
  • body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) meeting_id: 3539 url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=SMPL&ROWSPP=25&RESULTSET=1&NRROWS=500&DOC_LANCD=EN&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC&CONTENTS=3539*&MEET_DATE=18/05/2017 date: 2017-05-18T00:00:00
docs
  • date: 2017-05-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE604.566 title: PE604.566 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2017-06-09T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.071 title: PE606.071 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2017-06-09T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.072 title: PE606.072 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2017-06-13T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE606.009&secondRef=02 title: PE606.009 committee: IMCO type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2018-01-22T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=30124&j=0&l=en title: SP(2017)778 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2017-05-18T00:00:00 type: Resolution/conclusions adopted by Council body: CSL
  • date: 2017-05-18T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2017-07-11T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2017-07-26T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0272&language=EN title: A8-0272/2017 summary: The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the own-initiative report drawn up by Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI (EPP, EL) on the fight against cybercrime. Background : Europol's assessment of the threat posed by organised crime on the Internet (IOCTA) of 28 September 2016 indicated that cybercrime (zombie networks and malware etc.) is increasing in intensity, complexity and causing ever-greater economic and social damage, affecting the fundamental rights of individuals. 80% of companies in Europe have experienced at least one cybersecurity incident. Children who use the internet at an increasingly early age are particularly vulnerable to the risk of being groomed by paedophiles and other forms of online sexual exploitation. Faced with these challenges, the report suggested clarifying the definitions of cybercrime to ensure that EU institutions and Member States share a common legal definitions. On a general level, Members recommended the: rapid transposition of Directive 2011/93/EC on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography and the adoption of an action plan for the protection of children's rights online and offline in cyberspace; establishment of juridical measures to fight against the phenomenon of online violence against women and cyberbullying; guarantee that illegal online content should be removed immediately by due legal process. To be effective, cybersecurity strategies should be based on fundamental freedoms and rights. Prevention : in the context of the review of the EU's cybersecurity strategy, the Commission is invited to: identify network and information security vulnerabilities of European Critical Infrastructure , promote the development of resilient systems and assess the situation with regard to the fight against cybercrime in the Union and the Member States; launch awareness-raising, information and prevention campaigns (with educational programmes) to ensure that all citizens, in particular children and other vulnerable users, but also central and local governments, and private sector actors, especially SMEs, are aware of the risks posed by cybercrime. Member States should intensify the exchange of information , through Eurojust, Europol and ENISA, as well as best practice sharing via the European CSIRT (Cyber Security Incident Response Teams) and the CERTs (Computer Emergency Response Teams), with regard to the problems they face in the fight against cybercrime. Enhance the responsibility of service providers : Members called for closer cooperation between competent authorities and service providers to accelerate mutual legal assistance and mutual recognition procedures in the areas of competence provided for in the European legal framework. Providers of electronic communications services established in a third country should designate in writing representatives in the Union. In view of innovation trends and the growing accessibility of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Members stated that attention must be paid to the safety of all devices and to promote the security by design approach. They stressed the need to protect law enforcement databases from security incidents and unlawful access. They also encouraged service providers to adhere to the Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online. Strengthening police and judicial cooperation : the report stressed the need to allow law enforcement authorities to have lawful access to relevant information, in the limited circumstances where such access is necessary and proportionate for reasons of security and justice. Members called on the not to impose any obligation on encryption providers that would result in the weakening or compromising of the security of their networks or services, such as the creation or facilitation of ‘ back doors ’. Feasible solutions must be offered where finding them is imperative for justice and security. According to Members, lawful interception can be a highly effective measure to combat unlawful hacking, on condition that it is necessary, proportionate, based on due legal process and in full compliance with fundamental rights and EU data protection law and case law. Electronic evidence : the report called for a common European approach to criminal justice. It stressed the need to find means to secure and obtain e-evidence more rapidly, as well as the importance of close cooperation between law enforcement authorities, third countries and service providers active on European territory. In order to strengthen capacity-building at European level , the report called on ENISA to continuously evaluate the threat level and encouraged the Commission to invest in the IT capacity as well as the defence and resilience of the critical infrastructure of the EU institutions in order to reduce the EU’s vulnerability to serious cyberattacks originating from large criminal organisations.
  • date: 2017-10-02T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20171002&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2017-10-03T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=30124&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2017-10-03T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0366 title: T8-0366/2017 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 603 votes to 27, with 39 abstentions, a resolution on the fight against cybercrime. Background : Europol's assessment of the threat posed by organised crime on the Internet (IOCTA) of 28 September 2016 indicated that cybercrime (zombie networks and malware etc.) is increasing in intensity, complexity and scale . 80% of companies in Europe have experienced at least one cybersecurity incident. Children are particularly vulnerable to the risk of being groomed by paedophiles and other forms of online sexual exploitation. A considerable number of cybercrimes remain unprosecuted and unpunished. Given the cross-border nature of cybercrime as well as the common cybersecurity threats faced by the EU, Parliament called for enhanced cooperation and information exchange between police and judicial authorities and cybercrime experts is essential for conducting effective investigations in cyberspace and obtaining electronic evidence. On a general level , Members suggested streamlining common definitions of cybercrime, while stressing that the fight against cybercrime should be first and foremost about safeguarding and hardening critical infrastructures , including, among others, energy and electricity supply and financial structures. They strongly condemned any system interference undertaken or directed by a foreign nation or its agents to disrupt the democratic process of another country. Parliament also recommended: adopting an action plan for the protection of children’s rights online and offline in cyberspace; putting in place all the necessary legal measures to combat the phenomenon of online violence against women and cyberbullying; giving Eurojust and Europol the means to improve the identification of victims and fight criminal networks of sexual offenders and accelerate the detection, analysis and reporting of child pornography material both online and offline; ensure that illegal online content is removed immediately by legal means. Prevention : in the context of EU's cybersecurity strategy review, the Commission is invited to: identify network and information security vulnerabilities of European Critical Infrastructure , promote the development of resilient systems and assess the situation with regard to the fight against cybercrime in the Union and the Member States; launch awareness-raising, information and prevention campaigns (with educational programmes) to ensure that all citizens, in particular children and other vulnerable users, but also central and local governments, and private sector actors, especially SMEs, are aware of the risks posed by cybercrime; promote security measures such as encryption and anonymisation tools. Member States should intensify the exchange of information, through Eurojust, Europol and ENISA, as well as best practice sharing via the European CSIRT (Cyber Security Incident Response Teams) and the CERTs (Computer Emergency Response Teams). They should also invest in education as a solution to the lack of qualified IT professionals working on cybersecurity. Enhance the responsibility of service providers : Members called for closer cooperation between competent authorities and service providers to accelerate mutual legal assistance . Providers of electronic communications services established in a third country should designate in writing representatives in the Union. In view of the growing accessibility of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Members stated that attention must be paid to the safety of all devices and to promote the security by design approach. They stressed the need to protect law enforcement databases from security incidents and unlawful access. They also encouraged service providers to adhere to the Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online. Member States are urged to set up CERTs to which businesses and consumers can report malicious emails and websites as foreseen by the network and information security Directive (NIS). Strengthening police and judicial cooperation : Parliament stressed the need to allow law enforcement authorities to have lawful access to relevant information, in the limited circumstances where such access is necessary and proportionate for reasons of security and justice. Member States should not to impose any obligation on encryption providers that would result in the weakening or compromising of the security of their networks or services, such as the creation or facilitation of ‘ back doors ’. Feasible solutions must be offered where finding them is imperative for justice and security. According to Members, lawful interception can be a highly effective measure to combat unlawful hacking, on condition that it is necessary, proportionate, based on due legal process and in full compliance with fundamental rights and EU data protection law and case law. Electronic evidence : Parliament called for a common European approach to criminal justice. It stressed the need to find means to secure and obtain e-evidence more rapidly, as well as the importance of close cooperation between law enforcement authorities , third countries and service providers active on European territory. The Commission should propose a European legal framework for e-evidence including harmonised rules to determine the status of service providers, whether domestic or foreign, and oblige them to respond to requests from other Member States. This framework should provide for adequate safeguards concerning the rights and freedoms of all parties concerned. Lastly, Parliament deplored the absence of binding international legislation on cybercrime and urged the Member States and the European institutions to work towards establishing a convention on the matter.
  • date: 2017-10-03T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/migration-and-home-affairs_en title: Migration and Home Affairs commissioner: AVRAMOPOULOS Dimitris
procedure/Modified legal basis
Old
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
New
Rules of Procedure EP 159
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
Old
LIBE/8/09854
New
  • LIBE/8/09854
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 54
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 052
procedure/subject
Old
  • 3.30.07 Cybersecurity, cyberspace policy
  • 3.30.25 International information networks and society, internet
  • 7.30.30 Action to combat crime
New
3.30.07
Cybersecurity, cyberspace policy
3.30.25
International information networks and society, internet
7.30.30
Action to combat crime
activities/4/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20171002&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament
activities/4/type
Old
Debate in plenary scheduled
New
Debate in Parliament
activities/5/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0366 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0366/2017
activities/5/type
Old
Vote in plenary scheduled
New
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
procedure/stage_reached
Old
Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
New
Procedure completed
activities/4/type
Old
Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading
New
Debate in plenary scheduled
activities/5
date
2017-10-03T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Vote in plenary scheduled
activities/4
date
2017-10-02T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading
procedure/subject/0
3.30.07 Cybersecurity, cyberspace policy
activities/4
date
2017-09-11T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading
activities/3/docs/0/text
  • The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the own-initiative report drawn up by Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI (EPP, EL) on the fight against cybercrime.

    Background: Europol's assessment of the threat posed by organised crime on the Internet (IOCTA) of 28 September 2016 indicated that cybercrime (zombie networks and malware etc.) is increasing in intensity, complexity and causing ever-greater economic and social damage, affecting the fundamental rights of individuals. 80% of companies in Europe have experienced at least one cybersecurity incident.

    Children who use the internet at an increasingly early age are particularly vulnerable to the risk of being groomed by paedophiles and other forms of online sexual exploitation.

    Faced with these challenges, the report suggested clarifying the definitions of cybercrime to ensure that EU institutions and Member States share a common legal definitions.

    On a general level, Members recommended the:

    • rapid transposition of Directive 2011/93/EC on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography and the adoption of an action plan for the protection of children's rights online and offline in cyberspace;
    • establishment of juridical measures to fight against the phenomenon of online violence against women and cyberbullying;
    • guarantee that illegal online content should be removed immediately by due legal process.

    To be effective, cybersecurity strategies should be based on fundamental freedoms and rights.

    Prevention: in the context of the review of the EU's cybersecurity strategy, the Commission is invited to:

    • identify network and information security vulnerabilities of European Critical Infrastructure, promote the development of resilient systems and assess the situation with regard to the fight against cybercrime in the Union and the Member States;
    • launch awareness-raising, information and prevention campaigns (with educational programmes) to ensure that all citizens, in particular children and other vulnerable users, but also central and local governments, and private sector actors, especially SMEs, are aware of the risks posed by cybercrime.

    Member States should intensify the exchange of information, through Eurojust, Europol and ENISA, as well as best practice sharing via the European CSIRT (Cyber Security Incident Response Teams) and the CERTs (Computer Emergency Response Teams), with regard to the problems they face in the fight against cybercrime.

    Enhance the responsibility of service providers: Members called for closer cooperation between competent authorities and service providers to accelerate mutual legal assistance and mutual recognition procedures in the areas of competence provided for in the European legal framework. Providers of electronic communications services established in a third country should designate in writing representatives in the Union.

    In view of innovation trends and the growing accessibility of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Members stated that attention must be paid to the safety of all devices and to promote the security by design approach.

    They stressed the need to protect law enforcement databases from security incidents and unlawful access. They also encouraged service providers to adhere to the Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online.

    Strengthening police and judicial cooperation: the report stressed the need to allow law enforcement authorities to have lawful access to relevant information, in the limited circumstances where such access is necessary and proportionate for reasons of security and justice.

    Members called on the not to impose any obligation on encryption providers that would result in the weakening or compromising of the security of their networks or services, such as the creation or facilitation of ‘back doors’.

    Feasible solutions must be offered where finding them is imperative for justice and security.

    According to Members, lawful interception can be a highly effective measure to combat unlawful hacking, on condition that it is necessary, proportionate, based on due legal process and in full compliance with fundamental rights and EU data protection law and case law.

    Electronic evidence: the report called for a common European approach to criminal justice. It stressed the need to find means to secure and obtain e-evidence more rapidly, as well as the importance of close cooperation between law enforcement authorities, third countries and service providers active on European territory.

    In order to strengthen capacity-building at European level, the report called on ENISA to continuously evaluate the threat level and encouraged the Commission to invest in the IT capacity as well as the defence and resilience of the critical infrastructure of the EU institutions in order to reduce the EU’s vulnerability to serious cyberattacks originating from large criminal organisations.

other/0
body
EC
dg
commissioner
AVRAMOPOULOS Dimitris
activities/3/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0272&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A8-0272/2017
activities/3
date
2017-07-26T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
procedure/stage_reached
Old
Awaiting committee decision
New
Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
activities/2
date
2017-07-11T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
committees
activities/3/date
Old
2017-10-02T00:00:00
New
2017-09-11T00:00:00
procedure/Modified legal basis
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
activities/2
date
2017-10-02T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading
activities/1
date
2017-05-18T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
committees
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
LIBE/8/09854
procedure/stage_reached
Old
Preparatory phase in Parliament
New
Awaiting committee decision
procedure/title
Old
Fight against Cybercrime
New
Fight against cybercrime
activities
  • date: 2017-05-18T00:00:00 body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) meeting_id: 3539
committees
  • body: EP responsible: False committee: IMCO date: 2017-02-09T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection rapporteur: group: ECR name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: International Trade committee: INTA
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE
  • body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: DALLI Miriam group: ECR name: PROCTER John group: ALDE name: GRIESBECK Nathalie group: GUE/NGL name: ERNST Cornelia group: Verts/ALE name: ALBRECHT Jan Philipp responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2017-01-30T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI Elissavet
links
other
    procedure
    reference
    2017/2068(INI)
    title
    Fight against Cybercrime
    legal_basis
    Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 052
    stage_reached
    Preparatory phase in Parliament
    subtype
    Initiative
    type
    INI - Own-initiative procedure
    subject