European Cyber Security Organisation
The European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) is a not-for-profit organisation seated in Brussels. It was established in June 2016 and unites more than 200 public authority, private sector, and academic entities from 27 countries. Members of the ESCO include big companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, research centres, universities, end users, operators, associations, local, regional, and national public authorities.
The main purpose of ECSO is to support all types of initiatives and projects focusing on the development, promotion, and support of European cyber security, support and protection of the European common digital market against cyber threats, development and growth of competitiveness in the information and communication technologies (ICT) industry.
The goals of ECSO aim
- In the short term, at the development of research and innovation priorities within the Horizon 2020, cooperation in the development of the European certification framework,
- In medium term, at standardizing, development of small and medium-sized enterprises, regional/international dialogue and cooperation, development of education, training, and awareness
- In the long term, at support and development of competitiveness of the European entrepreneurial environment in the area of cyber security and at positioning of the European cyber security industry to a leading position worldwide.
On 5 July 2016 a public-private partnership between ECSO and the European Commission (EC) was signed in Brussels. The contract was signed by all ECSO members.
The public-private partnership is expected to develop mutual cooperation between the public and the private sectors in the areas of cyber security. The contribution is in sharing innovative procedures and solutions for various industries (e.g. energy, health care, transportation, and financing). The EC will determine measures that will focus on solving the fragmentation of the cyber security market in the EU, for example in certification of products and services. The public-private partnership is expected to generate EUR 1.8 billion in investment until 2020.
