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EU Proposes Agency to Combat Cyber-Crimes

EU information society commissioner says a cyber-attack could be devastating.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- The European Union head office proposed Monday to set up an agency to coordinate Internet security efforts across the continent.

EU information society commissioner Erkki Liikanen said the agency would collect and analyze data on Internet security breaches and advise EU governments on such issues.

"The EU will benefit from increased coordination between member states," Liikanen said.

EU officials say the proposal will now be studied by EU governments and the European Parliament before final approval, which could take up to nine months. Liikanen expects the new body would need a five-year budget of 24.3 million euros ($26.2 million).

Liikanen said Internet security has become "a key concern" for EU nations after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

He said the risk of a cyber-attack was growing. He notes that more than 90 percent of companies in the EU have an Internet connection, as do about 40 percent of private households.

"The malfunctioning of networks and information systems concerns everybody: citizens, businesses and public administrations," Liikanen said.

Experts in the field say attacks on computer systems that control power grids, pipelines, water systems and chemical refineries could be devastating.

"We have already fallen quite behind the United States in our efforts to boost Internet security," said Bart Vansevenant, vice president of marketing for Belgian Internet security company Ubizen.

In the United States, the newly created Department of Homeland Security is also working to prevent cyber-attacks on key U.S.-based Internet sites or other computer-based systems.

In addition, the United States has increased criminal penalties against hackers, who could face life in prison.

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