EU agrees on first EU-wide cybersecurity rules

Negotiators of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission have agreed on the first EU-wide legislation on cybersecurity, aiming to regulate internet service providers and to improve cybersecurity in the EU.

According to the agreement released on Tuesday, businesses with an important role for society and economy, or "operators of essential services", will have to take appropriate security measures and to notify serious incidents to the relevant national authority.

Such operators include the sectors of energy, transport, banking, financial market infrastructures, health, water and digital infrastructure.

Important digital businesses, or "digital service providers", will also be required to take appropriate security measures and to notify incidents to the competent authority.

The agreement still needs to be formally approved by the European Parliament and the European Council before it officially enter into force. Endit