Standardisation and certification: are they fit for a globalised, interconnected world?
Jun 9, 2021 | 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Jun 9, 2021 | 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Description
Technical standardisation and certification hold great promise for helping to increase the overall level of digital security. Economic literature points to their positive effects on competition and innovation, in particular through increased interoperability and reduced information asymmetries. Many initiatives are underway in various regions to promote standardisation and certification as effective market mechanisms to mainstream digital security best practices.
However, while such tools are often praised by big players in the industry, they should not be seen as a silver bullet. Developing standards is a heavy, cumbersome and long process, whereas technologies, use-cases and risks evolve much faster and could make standards quickly obsolete. While standardisation is industry-led, SMEs and civil society often struggle to participate in the process and make their voices heard. On the other hand, digital security certification can significantly increase costs and resources spent on compliance, which may not be fit for all organisations and markets. The fragmentation of the certification landscape across borders further increases these challenges, and significantly hinders the potential of certification to enhance digital security in a cost-effective manner.
Possible topics for discussion will include:
• What are the challenges related to digital security standards and certification in our increasingly dynamic and complex digital environment?
• Has the time come to rethink how digital security standards are developed, and how certification works?
• What are possible avenues to improve this situation?
