SIIA Says Proposed EU Cybersecurity Strategy is too Prescriptive and Overly Broad
For Immediate Release
SIIA Communications Contact: Laura Greenback, +1.202.789.4461,
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PR Agency Contact: Beth Dozier, +1.202.429.1883,
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SIIA Says Proposed EU Cybersecurity Strategy is too Prescriptive and Overly Broad
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 7, 2013) – In reaction to today’s European Union cybersecurity announcement, the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and information industries, said it is concerned that the new strategy is too broad in the scope of industries to be covered and will threaten innovation. Ken Wasch, SIIA president, issued the following statement:
“SIIA commends the European Commission for conducting a thoughtful, comprehensive review of network and information security across the European Union. There is a critical need to focus on the best cybersecurity practices that will help protect governments, businesses and citizens around the world from increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks.
“However, we are concerned about the scope of the Commission’s regulatory approach. It is overly broad, too prescriptive and threatens to suppress the very innovation that will help businesses, governments and citizens anticipate and address changing cybersecurity threats.
“The proposal’s cybersecurity performance requirements will likely lead to technical mandates and rigid regulatory standards and reporting obligations. Its scope goes well beyond critical infrastructure, where the harms from cyber-attacks are the greatest. In doing so, it threatens to engulf a broad range of other industries, thereby wasting scarce security resources on areas where the dangers are not urgent.
“Today’s cyber threats are global and ever-changing – rigid, far-reaching regulations will almost certainly do more harm than good. SIIA supports policies that provide the necessary flexibility to keep up with rapid technological developments pertaining to both threats and protections. SIIA and its member companies look forward to working with the Commission as it considers this proposal and possible amendments.”
About SIIA
SIIA is the leading association representing the software and digital content industries. SIIA represents approximately 500 member companies worldwide that develop software and digital information content. Information technology (IT) and software security are critical issues to SIIA’s members, many of whom strive to develop safe, secure and state-of the-art products that effectively serve their commercial and government customers alike, while protecting their intellectual property. For more information, visit www.siia.net.