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Also known as: EU Cybersecurity Act, Regulation (EU) 2019/881
EU regulation that strengthens ENISA and establishes an EU-wide cybersecurity certification framework for ICT products, services, and processes.
DESCRIPTION
The EU Cybersecurity Act (Regulation (EU) 2019/881) bolsters the mandate of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and creates a European cybersecurity certification framework. The framework introduces assurance levels (basic, substantial, high) to harmonize trust across member states. It aims to reduce fragmentation, support the digital single market, and improve resilience of digital products and services. The Act complements the NIS2 Directive’s risk management and incident reporting obligations. It encourages adoption of certified solutions in critical sectors and public procurement. Over time, individual schemes (e.g., EUCC, EUCS, EU5G) are developed under the framework. Organizations adopt the Act to demonstrate security assurance and meet EU market expectations.
ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS
European Commission
The EU Cybersecurity Act strengthens the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and establishes an EU-wide cybersecurity certification framework for digital products, services and processes.
Highlights ENISA’s reinforced role and the EU-wide certification framework.
EUR-Lex
Regulation (EU) 2019/881 on ENISA (the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity) and on information and communications technology cybersecurity certification and repealing Regulation (EU) No 526/2013.
Legal citation emphasizing ENISA’s mandate and ICT cybersecurity certification.
ENISA
The Cybersecurity Act establishes a framework for the cybersecurity certification of ICT products, services and processes and strengthens the role of ENISA.
Underscores certification scope and ENISA’s strengthened role.
RELATED TERMS
EU Cybersecurity Certification Framework EU Agency for Cybersecurity ISO-IEC 27001 Common Criteria Risk Management Incident Response Supply Chain Security
COMPETING TERMS
KNOWLEDGE AREAS
Data Security Data Governance Data Management Infrastructure
TARGET AUDIENCE
Chief Information Officer Chief Technology Officer Cloud Architect Data Governance Manager Data Architect Data Management Consultant
EXTERNAL SOURCES
- Wikipedia - EU Cybersecurity Act
- European Commission - Official policy overview and scope
- EUR-Lex - Official regulation text
- ENISA - Certification framework and schemes
TOP QUESTIONS
What is the core purpose of the Cybersecurity Act?
It strengthens ENISA’s role and creates an EU-wide cybersecurity certification framework to harmonize security assurance across ICT products, services, and processes. This reduces fragmentation and supports the digital single market.
Category: Overview
How does the Cybersecurity Act relate to NIS2 Directive?
They are complementary: NIS2 sets cybersecurity risk management and reporting obligations, while the Cybersecurity Act provides certification frameworks to demonstrate assurance of ICT products and services.
Category: Relationship
Who needs to comply with the Cybersecurity Act?
Manufacturers and providers seeking EU cybersecurity certification under defined schemes fall under its scope. Public authorities and buyers may require certified products in procurements.
Category: Requirements
What assurance levels exist under the EU certification framework?
The framework defines Basic, Substantial, and High assurance levels. Each level corresponds to increasing rigor of evaluation and confidence in mitigating cybersecurity risks.
Category: Definition
Is certification under the Cybersecurity Act mandatory?
Generally, schemes are voluntary unless EU law or national measures make them mandatory for specific sectors or procurements. Market and contractual pressures may effectively drive adoption.
Category: Policy
How does the Cybersecurity Act impact procurement?
Public and private buyers can reference assurance levels in tenders, enabling consistent security requirements. This simplifies vendor comparison and promotes certified solutions.
Category: Application
What are examples of schemes under the Cybersecurity Act?
Examples include EUCC (for ICT products), EUCS (for cloud services), and EU5G (for 5G). Each scheme specifies scope, conformity assessment, and assurance levels.
Category: Examples
How does the Cybersecurity Act affect SMEs?
SMEs may benefit from clearer guidance and EU-wide recognition of certifications, but they must plan for evaluation costs. Choosing appropriate assurance levels helps manage burden.
Category: Impact
What is a common misunderstanding about the Cybersecurity Act?
That it imposes immediate mandatory certification for all ICT. In reality, schemes are typically voluntary unless specified otherwise by law or procurement requirements.
Category: Misunderstanding