New security regulations for Europe's internet. European lawmakers have approved a new cybersecurity law, the first on the continent, that pushes for stronger cyber defenses and forces companies to immediately report cyberattacks.
The European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, approved the draft law, which imposes rules and obligations on various companies and organizations, such as banks, energy, transport and technology industries.
New regulations oblige companies to report cyberattacks and data breach incidents on the Internet.
The law will apply to all 28 EU member states (for now, it still includes the UK) and imposes closer cooperation in the field of network and information security, especially in critical national infrastructures.
European governments have already announced their support for this effort.
The bill's rapporteur, Andreas Schwab, welcomed the passage of the bill.
“Fragmented cybersecurity protection makes us all vulnerable and poses major security risks in Europe as a whole,” the German politician said.
Europe's security intelligence agency ENISA said in its 2015 report that businesses and citizens lost €360 billion to cyberattacks and internet disruptions.
