02 Feb 2017 Cybersecurity vs user convenience – debate at the European Parliament
MEPs Michal Boni, Dita Charanzova – Didier Sérodon, Eurosmart President
Brussels, the 1st February 2017,
The question of cybersecurity versus user convenience was at the heart of a debate that took place at the European Parliament on the 31st of January 2017. It was organised by Eurosmart, the Voice of the Smart Security Industry, MEP Michał Boni (EPP), and MEP Dita Charanzová (ALDE). The key note speech was given by Sir Julian King, Commissioner for the Security Union.
According to Eurosmart, the debate has come at the right time. Recent security breaches, such as the last attack in the US using IoT devices, have made cybersecurity even more relevant. However, Eurosmart understands that users want convenience. Therefore, the European Union would have to balance security versus user convenience when addressing cybersecurity in EU sectorial policies. Sectors affected would be, amongst others, migration and home affairs (security of eID documents), payment services (PSDII), eGovernment (eGovernment action plan 2016-2020), automotive (eCall regulation) and the telecom (telecom package – ePrivacy Regulation).
“Cybersecurity is one of the focus areas of the Digital Single Market and it requires more of our attention. With the digital services constantly developing and consumers’ appetite for more technological solutions that they can use in their everyday life, providing security of these solutions is fundamental. Mobile ID is an exemplary area which cannot function without cybersecurity instruments and appropriate fight with cybercrime against identity theft and fraud. This is one of the areas that we should take a closer look at the EU level” said Michał Boni, Member of the European Parliament.
“As we seek to stop fraud, we must at the same time seek to make security measures a seamless part of the online and offline world. Strong Customer Authentication should not be a burden on citizens and all measures that make authentication easier must be welcomed. Biometric and other mobile ID technologies will be key to this. Whether on a Sim card, a phone embedded secure element or otherwise, security should not be the enemy of convenience and the Digital Single Market” said Ms Dita Charanzová, Member of the European Parliament.
“Eurosmart welcomes the recent EU initiatives on cybersecurity, as they show that cybersecurity is being taken seriously at the European level. The members of Eurosmart offer products and solutions that cover every level of security required, from applications that only require entry range security, such as loyalty programs, to transactions for which the highest security is indispensable, such as financial or eGovernment applications. Eurosmart will continue to provide its expertise in developing principles and guidelines for more secure and user-friendly solutions that benefit all European citizens, as well as European bodies and institutions” said Didier Sérodon, President of Eurosmart.
