Casting a wider net: 3 500 authorities now linked via Europol

Europol continues to strengthen the fight against crime through international cooperation, reaching a new milestone in its Secure Information Exchange Network Application (SIENA). Over the past year, Europol has expanded its network of SIENA connections from 3 000 to 3 500, adding, on average, two new partners every day.

This development reflects Europol’s commitment to fostering collaboration between law enforcement authorities across borders through providing them with the tools to tackle increasingly complex criminal threats. SIENA enables the secure, efficient, and timely exchange of information between Europol and its partners, including national, regional and local law enforcement authorities, as well as customs, border guards, and other specialised police forces.

Every new connection strengthens national law enforcement authorities’ capabilities to make the European Union more secure. SIENA provides law enforcement authorities the ability to share operational intelligence, which is crucial to efficiently tackle complex criminal threats spread across borders. As Europol’s network grows, the power of collaboration, in line with Europol’s strategy, is an even stronger force in delivering security for the EU and beyond. SIENA received recently a “legislative home”. The Information Exchange Directive 2023/977, which took effect a month ago, is revolutionising international policing by making SIENA the “default channel” of cooperation for European law enforcement authorities.  

Europol’s Deputy Executive Director Andrei Linta said: 

International cooperation is the driving force behind criminal investigations targeting serious cross-border crime. Increasing the connections in our SIENA network means expanding the network of partners in the fight against global criminality. This achievement is a testament to the commitment of law enforcement authorities across Europe, and beyond, to work together in safeguarding our communities.