Zsolt Nyitrai, Minister of State for Infocommunications of the Ministry of National Development congratulated the newly appointed officials of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), among them Ferenc Suba, re-elected Vice Chair and representative of CERT Hungary, at a press conference held in Budapest, 23 March 2011.

Minister of State Zsolt Nyitrai announced that experts of the Ministry of National Development have started the preparation of the legislation on network and information security. “This will ensure network infrastructure protection and the security of citizens and e-government services” said Nyitrai.

One key element of the Hungarian Presidency’s two legislative dossiers is the extension of ENISA’s current mandate. “Our aim during the Hungarian Presidency semester is to extend the current mandate of the Agency for 18 months in order to avoid a legal vacuum”, said Nyitrai.

The Minister of State for Infocommunications and President of the Telecommunications Council of the European Union congratulated the newly appointed officials of ENISA, among them Ferenc Suba, the Hungarian member of the Board who was re-elected as Vice Chair at ENISA’s Board Meeting held in Budapest.

Trust and network security are among the priorities of the European ICT agenda. The legislative package elaborated by the European Commission is the backbone of the Hungarian Presidency’s programme. Hungary aims to take forward the legislative proposals on the extension of ENISA’s mandate and the modernisation of the Agency. Key European Union institutions also place great emphasis on the extension of the Agency’s mandate.

ENISA’s core activity is focused on enhancing network and information security in the European Union. The Agency gives support, advice and expertise to the EU institutions and the Member States authorities and also facilitates the exchange of best practices and cooperation between both public and private sector organisations. In collaboration with the EU institutions and the Member States authorities ENISA is working to reinforce the security of IT networks throughout Europe.