Network and Information Security Agency
Formation	10 March 2004 (ratified) 1 September 2005 (established)
Location	Heraklion, Greece
Director	Dr Udo Helmbrecht
Website	enisa.europa.eu

The European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) is an agency of the European Union. ENISA was created in 2004 by EU Regulation No 460/2004 and is fully operational since September 1st, 2005. It has its seat in Heraklion, Crete (Greece).

ENISA supported "Cyber Europe 2010", the first pan-European cybersecurity exercise.^[1]

  Objective

The objective of ENISA is to improve network and information security in the European Union. The agency has to contribute to the development of a culture of network and information security for the benefit of the citizens, consumers, enterprises and public sector organisations of the European Union, and consequently will contribute to the smooth functioning of the EU Internal Market.

ENISA assists the Commission, the Member States and, consequently, the business community in meeting the requirements of network and information security, including present and future EU legislation. ENISA ultimately strives to serve as a centre of expertise for both Member States and EU Institutions to seek advice on matters related to network and information security.

  Organisation

ENISA is managed by the Executive Director, and supported by a staff composed of experts representing stakeholders such as the information and communication technologies industry, consumer groups and academic experts. The Agency is overseen by the Management Board, which is composed of representatives from the EU Member States, the EU Commission and other stakeholders. The Permanent Stakeholders Group was established by and gives advice to the Executive Director.

The Agency had a budget of 32 million Euro (for all years of 2005 to 2009). The Agency mandate was extended up to 2012 with an annual budget of 8 million Euro, under the leadership of Dr. Udo Helmbrecht. Presently ca 55 staff work at the Agency. There are plans for additional experts to be integrated into the agency (in an "ENISA II" regulation) but the decision on the new organisation is not yet decided. The European Commission has clearly signalled that they want a reinforced Agency, on 19 May 2010, by Commissioner Kroes. In this communication, it is clarified that a proposal for a new regulation for the Agency should be presented in 2010.

  Executive Director

• 2004 - October 2009 : Mr Andrea Pirotti (an Italian national and former Vice-President of Marconi Communications)
• October 2009 - present : Dr Udo Helmbrecht (a German national and former president/director of the Federal Office for Information Security Germany)

  See also

• Trans European Services for Telematics between Administrations (TESTA)
• EUDRANET
• National Cyberdefence Centre

  References

• How the European Union works

  External links

• European Network and Information Security Agency