Debate over Cyber Certificate Presents Challenges for Incoming Tech Commissioner

The European Union’s new Tech Commissioner, Henna Virkkunen, is tasked with improving the adoption processes of certification schemes, as outlined in her mission letter. The ongoing debate surrounding voluntary cybersecurity certificates for cloud services (EUCS) is expected to be a significant issue for the incoming European Commission. The draft text of the EUCS scheme, developed by ENISA in 2019, has been delayed due to sovereignty questions, particularly regarding France’s proposal to exclude non-EU cloud companies from high-security options. The deadlock has left the scheme pending, with no official date set for the next working group meeting to discuss the issue.
Commissioner Virkkunen will oversee the debate once approved by the European Parliament, as she is tasked with strengthening cybersecurity and improving the adoption processes of such certification schemes. The delay in the EUCS scheme coincides with the evaluation of the Cybersecurity Act, which aims to enhance coordination in case of large-scale cyberattacks in the EU.
While one out of three proposed certificates since 2019 has been approved, another on 5G is still in progress. The Commission has also requested ENISA’s support for the certification of European Digital Identity Wallets. The evolving landscape of cybersecurity certifications and the ongoing debate over sovereignty requirements highlight the importance of ensuring cybersecurity measures are effectively implemented and coordinated at the EU level.

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