Press Release: Digital Agenda: Cyber-security experts test defences in first pan-European simulation

Europe's cyber security experts are testing their responses in the first ever pan-European cyber-attack simulation exercise on 4 November 2010. In "Cyber Europe 2010", experts will try to counter simulated attempts by hackers to paralyse critical online services in several EU Member States. The simulation will be based on a scenario where internet connectivity between European countries would be gradually lost or significantly reduced in all participating countries so that citizens, businesses and public institutions would find it difficult to access essential online services. In the exercise, Member States will need to cooperate with each other to avoid a simulated total network crash. The event is organised by EU Member States with support from the European Network Security Agency (ENISA) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The exercise is due to be followed by more complex scenarios ultimately going from European to global level. Supporting EU-wide cyber-security preparedness exercises is one of the actions foreseen by the Digital Agenda for Europe to enhance online trust and security.