WHAT IS CYBERSEC?
CYBERSEC is a well-established family of events dedicated to strategic aspects of technology revolution in Europe and beyond. Recognizing the need for trust-based, multilateral and cross-sectional cooperation, we are continuing our mission of delivering the most influential and thought-provoking conversations with another edition of CYBERSEC Brussels Leaders’ Foresight.
Since the very first edition of the Forum in 2015 we have been able to host hundreds of experts and decision-makers representing both likeminded countries, and international and intergovernmental structures, such as NATO, UN and the EU.
BUSINESS STREAM
The European Commission, the US House of Representatives and the US State Department have all declared their support for the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), creating an unprecedented momentum for a more profound digital transformation in Central and Eastern Europe. One of the projects adopted by the Initiative is the 3 Seas Digital Highway – invented and conceptualized by the Kosciuszko Institute and promoted by CYBERSEC.
As the 3SI Fund has made its first investment in Greenergy Data Centers, it is high time to come back to other projects encouraging the development of digital and energy infrastructure in the region, which are surely going to generate a significant number of opportunities for businesses.
DEFENCE STREAM
European leaders are vocal about their hopes of a transatlantic revival under the new US administration. NATO could serve as the natural facilitator of this process, as adopting common positions in digital affairs is one of the key elements of the rejuvenated transatlantic alliance. This could greatly improve the overall defence posture of the Alliance and bring new opportunities for cooperation between the US and the EU.
As a result of the Reflection Process, NATO 2030 Expert Group has come up with a report listing 138 recommendations for the Alliance, which include update of the 2010 Strategic Alliance, EDT Implementation Strategy, and strengthening its political dimension. All of these could potentially result in an epochal renewal of the transatlantic relationship.
FUTURE STREAM
Data is the most valuable resource in the digital economy. Its exponential growth is the key driver behind the success of various initiatives in both private and public sector, regardless of the size and scope of the project. Data transfers between the EU and entities outside of the Union are one of the bigger bones of contention, especially for the transatlantic relationship.
There are hopes to change that, through mutual agreements on standards for collecting, storing and transferring data. A debate on the future of data management is crucial to ensure the EU and its partners are not only making the most of the digital assets, but doing so with respect of common values.
STATE STREAM
In 2020 the European Commission has made digital technologies one of its priorities under the ‘Europe fit for the Digital Age’ agenda. It has undertaken to address a whole spectrum of digital affairs, from the Digital Services Act and the revision of the NIS Directive to the European Data Strategy. The European Commission has been also increasing its regulatory efforts to pursue Europe’s digital sovereignty.
It’s a hard pill to swallow, but regulations hardly ever keep up with the pace of innovation, which raises the demands and stakes even higher. Is the process agile enough to achieve all goals on the agenda? Is digital sovereignty even a good direction?
STREAMS
CYBERSEC Brussels Leaders’ Foresight 2021 will follow the leitmotif of the CYBERSEC Global 2020: Together Against Adversarial Internet. Since the very beginning of the humankind, every innovation has transformed our lives and the Internet is not an exception. Those inventions are also accompanied by a plethora of threats which need to be addressed for the wellbeing and secure future of the global society.
The main topics of CYBERSEC Brussels Leaders’ Foresight 2021 will follow the four traditional CYBERSEC thematic streams, as well as a separate section dedicated to EU digital policies.
EU DIGITAL POLICY FORESIGHT
The European Commission has set out a recovery plan for the post-COVID-19 Europe sets out to rebuild the Union that is greener, more digital and more resilient. This goes in line with its ‘Europe fit for the Digital Age’ agenda, containing many projects and initiatives tackling various aspects of the EU’s digital ecosystem.
In this special stream we will focus on specific regulations and digital policies on the European horizon. How will they affect the regulatory landscape of the Union? What are the next steps?