Despina SPANOU is a Principal Adviser at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology (DG CNCT). She has held various roles within DG CNCT since joining in 2017, including Director for Digital Society, Trust, and Cybersecurity, as well as Head of Cabinet for Commission Vice President Margaritis SCHINAS. She has also served on the Management Board of ENISA and the Steering Board of CERT-EU. At DG CNCT, she has worked on the Cybersecurity Act, the implementation of the NIS Directive, and the proposal for the establishment of a European Cybersecurity Competence Centre. Before joining DG CNCT, Despina was Director for Consumer Affairs at the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST), overseeing consumer policy, consumer and marketing law, redress and enforcement, and product safety. She also served as Principal Adviser at the Directorate-General for Health and Consumers (DG SANTE). Prior to her tenure at the European Commission, she practiced European law at the Brussels branch of a U.S. law firm. Despina holds a degree from the University of Cambridge.
