The European Criminal Records System (ECRIS) is a decentralised information technology system.

an information technology tool allowing the requesting or issuing authority of a Member State to identify the competent authority in another Member State to receive and execute its request for, and decisions on, judicial cooperation, including regarding instruments giving effect to the principle of mutual recognition;

The site contains a link to another computer tool developed by the Commission to supplement it, the European Judicial Atlas , which allows easy access to the details of the courts and authorities responsible for implementing a variety of Community instruments (transmission of judicial documents, obtaining evidence abroad, legal aid, etc.) in the Member States.

The Communication discusses various aspects of improving network security and fighting cybercrime, such as encryption, filtering, interception, retention of traffic data, anonymous use, international co-operation of law enforcement, and evidential validity of computer data.

Where there is a well-founded need for action by law enforcement to expeditedly search, seize and securely copy computer data within their national territory in order to be able to investigate a computer related crime, this should be made possible by procedural laws, in conformity with the principles and exceptions provided for by Community law and in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.The Commission believes that the agreement reached on the interception provisions in the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters is the maximum possible that is achievable at present.

The creation of a harmonised set of rules for police and judicial record-keeping and of the appropriate tools for statistical analysis of computer crime would help law enforcement and judicial authorities to better store, analyse, evaluate the formal information gathered in this still changing area.