The bill of the Ministry of Digital Governance on the “National Cyber ​​Security Authority».

The parliamentarians of the ND were in favor of his principle, while SYRIZA, PASOK, Hellenic Solution and Pleusi Eleftherias reserved their place in the plenary session, while the KKE, like “Niki” and “Spartiates”, declared that they would vote against.

The opinions, objections and proposals of the competent extra-parliamentary bodies that had been invited to the Committee to position themselves on the bill had been preceded.

In particular, Panagiota Paparidou, president of the IT and Communications Business Association, expressing the opinion that “it would be better if the National Cyber ​​Security Authority was an independent authority“, requested that its relationship with the other competent authorities be clarified and that its responsibilities be clarified as well as what kind of controls it will carry out.

He also emphasized the “the need to enable the National Authority to be staffed quickly with private contracts, so that it can function immediately and efficiently».

Maggie Athanasiadis, director of the development, technology and innovation sector of the Association of Businesses and Industries, characterized “necessary and positive” the bill, as “mitigates the ever-increasing risks of cyber-attacks».

He also emphasized that “the staffing of the National Authority with specialized staff and its control framework are very important issues for its proper and efficient operation, as well as its cooperation with other independent authorities».

Spyridon Tassis, president of the Hellenic Association for the Protection of Personal Data Privacy, noted that “it is very important to ensure that the National Cyber ​​Security Authority operates as an independent authority” and stressed that “there is always the fear that fundamental rights of citizens will be circumvented”. “Cyber ​​security and the protection of sensitive personal data go hand in hand,” he said adding that “the goal of the bill will be achieved with more independence of the authority, adequate staffing, increased funding and institutionalization of adequate accountability and control of the National Authority, but also by cooperating with other independent authorities charged with safeguarding personal data».

Stamatis Timoleontas, secretary general of the Union of Employees of the National Land Registry, said he was positive about the bill, stressing that it is moving in the right direction. He emphasized that “the acceleration of digitization will solve many problems”, and added that “the transfer of the mortgage registry files needs special attention as in some areas there are important peculiarities”.

Dimitris Gritsalis, professor of cyber security, director of the Information Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection Research Group of the Athens University of Economics and Business Informatics department, underlined that “the bill, with the integration of the Community Directive, is an undeniably positive and decisive step […] Its provisions favor cooperation, research and technological development, and the National Cyber ​​Security Authority will only be effective if it utilizes the most modern technology available, otherwise it will quickly become the ideal victim,” he said. He also noted that the bill “flagrantly fails in terms of the qualifications that the commander and deputy commander of the National Authority must have”.

“It is necessary, we need distinguished scientists with experience for the Authority to be effective“, he said.

For “bill that moves in the right direction and is good practice at European level, ensuring the appropriate conditions for cyber security“, said Evangelos Ouzounis, head of the Department of Policy Development and Implementation of the EU Organization.

“Such an organization is important, which will build the foundations for the country’s cyber security, but it suffers in terms of approaching specialized personnel, as well as providing incentives to attract them“, write down.

Christos Rammos, president of the Communications Privacy Authority, emphasized that it is necessary to clarify the responsibilities of the National Authority in order to avoid overlaps, entanglements, confusion and misunderstandings with independent authorities that protect personal data. As he said, an addition must be made to make it clear that, not only the National Cyber ​​Security Authority but also the ADAE – which is constitutionally enshrined – have competence to safeguard personal data.

Thomas Dobridis, general director of Cybersecurity of the Ministry of Digital Governance, pointed out that “it is necessary and necessary, more than ever, to strengthen and staff state structures that will utilize the latest in technology to protect not only citizens, but also each country individually, from malicious attacks“, noting that in 2022 we had a quadrupling of these attacks.

As Mr. Dobridis said, “the bill incorporates all best practices“, while he set as crucial elements for the effective operation of the National Authority, the adequate funding and the institutionalization of incentives to attract specialized personnel.

Thomas Kanderes, president of the Union of Employees in the Greek Land Registry, also expressed his satisfaction with the provisions of the bill, stressing that “transfer of mortgage records is ensured and no historical records will be lost».

For “a bill that moves in the right direction and covers the country’s national requirements and commitments” said Spyridon Papageorgiou, Director of Cyber ​​Defense of the General Staff of the National Defense, emphasizing that “the necessary tools are provided that will comprehensively cover cyber attacks».

Angelos Pilatis, second vice president of the Consumer Institute, said that “there is no such thing as effective cyber security, no matter how many measures are taken, because online fraudsters are constantly evolving” while characterized “the entire edifice for the acquired rights of citizens is shaky».

Giorgos Chalkidis, general secretary of the Notarial Association of the Courts of Appeal of Athens, Piraeus, Aegean and Dodecanese, described “the legislative initiative for the safe preservation and transfer of the records of the mortgage office in a digital environment as particularly important”.

Giorgos Giannopoulos, professor at the Athens Law School, responsible for personal data of the Athens Bar Association, emphasized, among other things, that “the responsibilities between the authorities should be clarified and not create complexity which affects the times, while the actions in cyber attacks”.

Anastasios Papathanasiou, deputy director of the Electronic Crime Prosecution, stated that it is in the right direction and pointed out that the close cooperation of the National Authority with the service is necessary, while suggesting that emphasis be placed on its staffing with specialized personnel.

“We need to step up to speed to see the mesh of technology“, said Nikolaos Drakos, president of the IT Systems Control Institute, characterizing the staffing of the National Authority with qualified and certified personnel as a very important issue.