Scientific Opinion on Cybersecurity in the European Digital Single Market
The High Level Group (HLG) of the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) has recently published a new independent scientific opinion on Cybersecurity in the Digital Single Market.
At the request of the Commission Vice-President Andrus Ansip, the scientific advisers make a number of recommendations for policy action to make it easier and safer for people and businesses to operate online in the EU. The Opinion, submitted to the EU Commission on 24 March 2017, includes recommendations on:
Making systems more secure, including by avoiding ‘backdoors’ that bypass normal authentication processes and by using state of the art standards for encryption. The opinion also recommends a duty of care principle towards consumers that ensures that systems are well maintained and reduces technical vulnerabilities in hardware and software.
Empowering users through ‘context tailored’ digital identities so that people are only asked for the data necessary to secure an online transaction and by giving people more choice and control over their data.
Strengthening Europe’s strategically important cybersecurity industry, including by ensuring that people have the necessary skills.
Improving the coordination and sharing across Europe of information on cyber-incidents and ensuring adequate technical expertise in European bodies. The opinion also calls for a global cybersecurity governance framework, in which the EU would play a leading role.
The Opinion draws upon a comprehensive review of literature, and in particular scientific reports, and wide-ranging consultations with scientific experts. Feedback from policy, industry and civil society stakeholders was also taken into account. Amongst the list of experts and stakeholder representatives consulted, were our TNOC Research Integrator, Dr Tristram Riley-Smith (former PaCCS’ External Champion) and other long-standing contributors to the Partnership: Chris Hankin (Imperial College London), John McCanny (Queen’s University Belfast), Siraj Shaikh (Coventry University) and Liesbet Van Zoonen (Erasmus University Rotterdam).
The 2nd Scientific Opinion of the SAM HLG can be downloaded here: Cybersecurity in the European Digital Single Market
For more information, please visit this link.
