Description
As of 25 July, Cyprus also joins the Schengen Information System (SIS), the most important information-sharing system for security and border management in Europe. The accession of Cyprus to the SIS will allow law enforcement authorities to receive and exchange information in real time, with all SIS participants, on wanted or missing persons, on third-country nationals who do not have the legal right to stay in the EU and on lost or stolen objects (e.g. cars, firearms, boats and identity documents). Cyprus also established a dedicated SIRENE bureau to coordinate the exchange of information and cooperation on SIS alerts. The new office will be part of a network of national SIRENE bureaux supporting the operation of the SIS.
As of 7 March 2023, the updated SIS is operational and will soon be upgraded to include new categories of alerts, biometric data such as palm prints, fingerprints and DNA data for missing persons, as well as additional tools to fight crime and terrorism. To date, the updated SIS is operational in 31 countries across Europe (27 EU Member States and Schengen associated countries).
Source and image: European Commission Representation in Italy