Liikannen task force set to take on IT terrorists

Date: 24/10/02

By Peter Chapman

ERKKI Liikannen, the enterprise and information society Commissioner, is set to unveil plans for a network security 'task force' to combat criminals and terrorists plotting to wreak havoc in Europe's IT systems.

The task force will bring together experts from across the Union to swap notes on new viruses aimed at computer systems and draw up battle plans to fight common IT enemies.

'It will target viruses, hackers and other types of attacks on networks,' said Liikannen's spokesman, Per Haugaard.

Most hacking and breaches of corporate or government security systems are still attributed to amateur computer 'nerds' or disaffected ex-employees.

But the move, agreed in principle by EU leaders at the Seville summit in June, will boost coordination in an area security experts fear could be a vulnerable target for terrorist acts.

Security forces suspect that groups such as al-Qaeda could cause mayhem by attacking computer systems.

Criminals are already stepping up their online activities, which vary from plundering credit card details to spying on company secrets and sabotaging websites.

Haugaard said the task force could be up and running in the New Year if member states agree.

He said it would have a permanent office and staff as well as providing a contact point for experts in member states.

However, Haugaard said key details, such as its composition, still needed to be worked out.

Erkki Liikanen, the enterprise and information society Commissioner, is set to unveil plans for a network security 'task force' to combat criminals and terrorists plotting to wreak havoc in Europe's IT systems.