High-level webcast: Discussing European cybersecurity challenges with stakeholders from EU and member states

High-profile speakers from the EU and member states discussed “Technology that works for people: Why the right level of cybersecurity is crucial for digitalization,” Kaspersky’s first webcast on challenges and requirements for European cybersecurity policy. It seemed we hit the mark with the topic and the speakers: More than 100 participants took part in this interesting exchange of ideas.

One aspect quickly became clear: Digitalization opens up great opportunities, and we have no alternative to it, but at the same time exposure to cyberthreats has increased over recent years. The trend has been accelerating recently because of pandemic lockdowns, with remote working and greater use of the Internet leading to new opportunities for cybercriminals.

The situation also calls for long-term reflection. Luisa Franchina, president of the Italian Association for Critical Infrastructure, challenged European stakeholders to engage in broader thinking about business continuity and crisis management. Trust, transparency, and common security standards should serve as the basis of a more secure digital space, Franchina said.

That was an insightful session with @AxelVossMdEP, @ebothorel, Luisa Franchina, Jakub Boratynski and 80+ participants on cybersecurity and digital sovereignty in times of COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/BVKmUS908p

— Eugene Kaspersky (@e_kaspersky) June 10, 2020

MEP Axel Voss stressed that policy fragmentation across the EU is a disadvantage. The Union will have to clarify the legislation of the digital single market to be able to react faster in a more effective way, to tackle upcoming cybersecurity challenges, and to achieve cyber-resilience. A transnational dialogue involving all cybersecurity stakeholders is key to shaping the future of cybersecurity, said Voss: “Acting in a united way is the only way.”

MP Eric Bothorel, member of the French National Assembly, highlighted a massive digital shift — more than 8 million French people moving to remote work — that has increased exposure to cyberattacks. Regarding this shift, which was executed in an emergency, he commented, “We have to deal with that, and now manage the risk.”

Cyberimmunity might be the solution. According to Eugene Kaspersky, current risk-management methods are not sufficient to protect complex infrastructure today. And, lacking a working model, we need to redesign the architecture of all systems toward security-by-design. In other words, according to Kaspersky: “Security should become the DNA of systems. It is the only way to make them truly unhackable.”

Jakub Boratyński, acting director of Digital Society, Trust & Cybersecurity (Directorate H) at the European Commission, observed that at the policy level, the challenge is to identify the right mix of incentives to keep an acceptable level of cybersecurity risks. Further EU regulation should also assign responsibilities to all involved parties — from states to security vendors and IT users — in a proportionate way.

Watch the recording of the webcast:

We would be pleased to continue this dialogue on the crucial role of trust, transparency, and common security standards as well as the importance of cross-border and cross-sector cooperation with the whole cybersecurity community in the future. We are convinced that by doing so, we can all contribute to a more secure digital space at national, European, and global levels.

If you are interested in participating in further policy-related webcast organized by Kaspersky, please e-mail us at Kaspersky.EU-Policy@political-intelligence.com.