User:Difille/sandbox

The European Union Agency eu-LISA (European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice) has been established to manage large scale information systems in the area of freedom, security and justice. eu-LISA pro-actively supports the implementation of the EU’s asylum, migration and border management policies.

The headquarters of the Agency is in Tallinn (Estonia), while the operational management of the large-scale systems is carried out in Strasbourg (France) with a backup site in Sankt Johann im Pongau (Austria).

Mission
The Agency's mission is to be dedicated to continuously add value to the EU Member States, supporting through technology their efforts for safer Europe.

IT systems managed
The main task of eu-LISA is to fulfill the operational management tasks for the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II), the Visa Information System (VIS) and Eurodac.

SIS II
The system entered into operation on 9 April 2013. It facilitates the exchange of information on persons and objects between national border control authorities, police, customs, visa and judicial authorities throughout the Schengen area. SIS II took over from the Schengen Information System (SIS 1+). It provides a more modern and up-to-date system with new and enhanced functionalities, such as the possibility to include biometric data and European Arrest Warrants. It also provides more precise data and better linking possibilities between the different entries. SIS II therefore enhances security within the Schengen area. eu-LISA is responsible for the operational management of SIS II as from 9 May 2013.

VIS
The system went live in October 2011. It supports the implementation of the common visa policy and facilitates effective border control by enabling dedicated national authorities to enter and consult data, including biometrics, for short-stay visas for the Schengen area.

EURODAC
It is an information system for comparing the fingerprints of asylum seekers and irregular border-crossers. It facilitates the application of the Dublin II Regulation, which makes it possible to determine the Member State responsible for examining an asylum application. Until the establishment of eu-LISA, the European Commission was responsible for the Eurodac central unit and for data transmissions via this system.

Governance
eu-LISA has been established for an indefinite period of time. The Agency has its own budget and work programme.

The highest governing body of eu-LISA is the Management Board. It is composed of representatives of the EU Member States and the European Commission. Associated Countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) as well as Europol and Eurojust are also represented in the Management Board.

The Management Board is assisted by Advisory Groups, one for each IT system operated by the Agency. These groups are composed of experts from the EU Member States and a representative of the European Commission. Advisory Groups provide technical expertise on large-scale IT systems and, in particular, on preparing the Agency's annual work programme and the annual activity report. The countries associated with the implementation, application and development of the information systems in the remit of eu-LISA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) participate in the work of the Agency through Management Board and Advisory Groups.

eu-LISA is administratively managed and legally represented by its Executive Director. Mr Krum Garkov is the Executive Director of eu-LISA since 1 November 2012 and heads the staff of 120.