EUROPEAN AGENCY FOR THE OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF LARGE-SCALE IT SYSTEMS IN THE AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE (eu-LISA)

The European Agency for the Operational Management of large-scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA), is an EU agency that was established to provide a long-term solution for the operational management of large-scale IT systems, which are essential instruments in the implementation of the asylum, border management and migration policies of the EU.

The Agency is currently managing EURODAC, the Visa Information System (VIS) and second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II). The SIS II database permits the sharing of information on criminal matters to make sure the coordinated investigation of crimes that no longer respect national borders. The VIS system, ensures fair, efficient and secure processing of the visa application processes and border entry travel procedures of external visitors to EU while the EURODAC  system permits the monitoring of asylum applications from those who may need protection under EU values and norms.

Established in 2011, the headquarters of eu-LISA are based in Tallinn, Estonia, whilst its operational centre is in Strasbourg, France. There is also a business continuity site for the systems under management based in Sankt Johann im Pongau, Austria.

The Agency strives to support and facilitate European policies in the area of justice, security and freedom. It pro-actively supports and promotes effective cooperation and information exchange between relevant EU law enforcement bodies by ensuring the uninterrupted operation of large-scale IT systems and thereby contributes to free movement of people within and to the Schengen Area.

The Agency is guided by a number of implementation principles:

• the agency recognises its people as its biggest asset and constantly looks to attract, retain and develop highly qualified professionals, who share the values of the agency and who are motivated and committed to achieve its mission and objectives;
• the agency builds its success through an effective and open partnership with Member States and EU institutions, contributing thus to the achievement of common goals;
• the agency builds and maintains credibility with its partners in the EU through the successes and professional capabilities of its team;
• the agency strives to promote operational excellence providing high-quality services and solutions to Member States that is aligned with their needs and priorities, highest standards of data protection and security; provisions applicable to the systems under its management.
• the agency applies principles of good governance and cost-effectiveness to the conduct of its business operations.

 In order to fulfil this mandate, the agency must keep all IT systems under its responsibility functioning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to allow the continuous and uninterrupted exchange of data between national authorities using them.

eu-LISA is also mandated to ensure that it applies the highest levels of information security and data protection to the information entrusted to it, ensuring that personal information is treated fairly, lawfully and correctly, in full compliance with the relevant data protection principles and legislation in force.

Additional products and services that the Agency provides include:

• Participation in preparatory processes to design, develop and implement new systems, including execution of pilot projects;
• Training: provision of bespoke system training plans for national authorities on technical use of IT systems managed by the Agency;
• Reporting and statistics: timely and accurate provision of statistics and information on the performance of the systems as foreseen in the relevant legal bases and the fulfilment of all reporting obligations laid down in the Establishing Regulation and legal bases for the IT systems under the Agency's management.

eu-LISA’s activities are funded by:

•  a subsidy from the general budget of the European Union;
•  a contribution from the countries associated with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis and Eurodac-related measures;
• any financial contribution from the Member States.