Criminal judicial cooperation: attacks against information systems and communication networks. Framework Decision

PURPOSE: to approximate the laws on attacks against information systems. CONTENT: whilst the European Union is undoubtedly benefiting from electronic communication networks and information systems, as with other global economies, it is vulnerable to attack through the well recognised phenomenon of cyber crime. It is possible to launch an attack from anywhere in the world, to anywhere in the world, at any time. New, unexpected forms of attacks could occur in the future. Essentially speaking the objectives of this Council Framework Decision is to approximate criminal law in the area of attacks against information systems and to ensure the greatest possible police and judicial co-operation in the area of criminal offences related to attacks against information systems. For the purpose of this proposal, information systems include "stand alone" personal computers, personal digital organisers, mobile phones, intranets and extranets and the networks servers and other infrastructures of the Internet. The Decision will limit itself to addressing the following crimes: 1. Unauthorised access to information systems (hacking). 2. Disruption of information systems (denial of service). 3. Execution of malicious software that modifies or destroys data. 4. Interception of communication. 5. Malicious misrepresentation. The legal basis of the Decision will rest on Articles 29, 30 (a), 31 and 34(2)(b) of the TEU and will have no financial implications on the EU's budget.�