New Executive Director at EU 'Cyber Security' Agency ENISA: Helmbrecht at the Helm
BRUSSELS and HERAKLION, Greece/PRNewswire/ --
- The EU's 'Cyber Security' Agency ENISA [i.e. the European Network and
Information Security Agency] has a new Executive Director as of 16th October;
Dr Udo Helmbrecht. Dr Helmbrecht is the Former President of the German IT
Security Agency BSI, [the Federal Office for Information Security.]
Dr Helmbrecht clarifies his visions for the Agency as its new Executive
Director:
"I am very pleased, privileged and humbled to have gained the Management
Board's trust to become the Executive Director of ENISA. I proudly and
readily assume this position, working for Europe. Before I worked for the
improvement of the IT security in Germany; now I want to contribute to a
secure information Society in Europe. It will be a bit of "changing hats" for
me. As such, this is a tremendously stimulating step in my career. Yet, I
deem my experience as head of a national security authority should be of
added value for Europe and ENISA.
I will strive to help the Agency to work more closely, hand-in-hand, with
the European Institutions, trustfully and actively together with the Member
States and to promote cooperation between governments, businesses and NGOs to
the benefit of citizens in the European Union. That way, we should increase
the appreciation of ENISA as a brand for trust and security.
I will work towards a permanent mandate for ENISA-beyond the present 2012
'sun-set' clause. The clear and permanent mandate is necessary to manage the
increasing, fundamental role of security for economic and financial matters;
for business and consumers alike. Ultimately, the economy of Europe is at
stake if we do not manage security matters properly and adequately. At the
same time, we should promote the benefits of security to the citizens, so
they gain trust in the advantages of information and communication technology
to safely enjoy life in cyber space.
I am firmly convinced that Europe needs more cooperation and dialogue
with all security stakeholders. ENISA's role in this is clear: Europe and its
institutions need an independent body to give expert advice in security
matters. The Agency must become a stronger and even more respected actor,
working as a political advisory body and 'pacemaker' for the European
Commission and the European Parliament. As such, the Agency's advice should
have a lasting impact on the laws and regulation of the Commission and the
Member States.
There are many daunting security challenges ahead of us. But I am certain
that with the support of the skilled ENISA staff and the Member States we
will do it. We will make the digital, online Europe a safer place. Working
together; 'the whole is more than the sum of its parts'; which is the essence
of Europe," Dr Helmbrecht concludes.
Dr Udo Helmbrecht, was born in 1955, Castrop-Rauxel, North
Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. He has more than 30 years of professional,
management experience in the IT sector. His experience has been gained in
various sectors of society. This includes e.g. energy industry, insurance
company engineering, aviation, defence, and space industry, before becoming
President of BSI in 2005. Now, in 2009, new European security challenges
await at ENISA.
At the same time, Michael Hange in ENISA's Management Board and former
Deputy Head at BSI becomes the new President of BSI, replacing Dr Helmbrecht.
Background documents: Curriculum Vitae of Dr Helmbrecht.
http://www.enisa.europa.eu/about-enisa/structure-organization/executive-direc
tor/20091016_CVUH.pdf
Dr Helmbrecht's presentation to the Management Board, 3 April 2009, PPT.
http://www.enisa.europa.eu/about-enisa/structure-organization/executive-direc
tor/20090403_Helmbrecht_MB_FIN.pdf
MB slides text
http://www.enisa.europa.eu/about-enisa/structure-organization/executive-d
irector/PPTtext_2009_04_02.pdf
Dr Helmbrecht's speech to the ITRE committee on 16 April, 2009 (in German
only)
http://www.enisa.europa.eu/about-enisa/structure-organization/executive-direc
tor/Helmbrecht_ITRE.pdf/view
(Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste
this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the
space if one exists.)
Source: ENISA - European Network and Information Security Agency
For interviews arrangements with Dr Helmbrecht please contact: Ulf
Bergstrom, Press & Communications Officer ENISA,
press@enisa.europa.eu, Mobile: +30-6948-460143
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