Opening of registration for workshops & coffee

Protecting the Healthcare Sector from Cyber Harm

Session organized by CyberPeace Institute, NUKIB, Microsoft

Over the past two years, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought the importance of healthcare sharply into focus. It has also demonstrated that healthcare and medical facilities around the world are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. These can have a direct impact on human lives as people are unable to access healthcare services, a basic human right. This workshop will explore some of the results that have come out of a year-long project, led by the government of the Czech Republic, the CyberPeace Institute and Microsoft. It will focus on good practices and recommendations distilled from a series of multistakeholder workshops covering IT practitioners’ perspectives, national resilience measures, frontline workers, capacity building, international law, and diplomatic measures. These recommendations are set to be published in a Compendium on Protecting the Healthcare Sector from Cyber Harm later this year.

• Kaja Ciglic, Senior Director, Digital Diplomacy, Microsoft
• Klara Jordan, Chief Public Officer, CyberPeace Institute
• Denisa Vintrova, International Organizations and Law Unit, National Cyber and Information Security Agency of the Czech Republic, NUKIB
• Moderator: Nils Berglund, Outreach and Public Engagement Coordinator, EU Institute for Security Studies

Deep dive on transatlantic regulatory affairs

Session organized by Microsoft

Both the EU and the US are starting to see the benefits of more cyber resilience of their infrastructure after adopting a promising and ambitious cybersecurity strategy and regulation (NIS, CSA, NCCCR, upcoming NIS2, CRA, etc). More than individual initiatives, actions towards more collaboration on this matter are emerging such as the US-EU Security Dialog, the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) etc. Nevertheless, more steps are needed from both sides of the Atlantic to ensure closer harmonization especially on regulatory requirements, and to improve cyber resilience in the US and the EU. As a matter of fact, such a coordinated approach will ultimately result in enhanced competitiveness of both ICT & tech markets on both sides of the Atlantic.

• Lorena Boix Alonso, Director for Digital Society, Trust & Cybersecurity DG CONNECT, EU Commission
• Cristin Flynn Goodwin, Associate General Council and General Manager, Digital Security Unit, Microsoft
• Liesyl Franz, Director, U.S. Department of State's Cyberspace & Digital Policy Bureau
• Adam Sedgewick, Senior IT Policy Advisor, NIST
• Moderator: Alex Botting, International Policy Director, Coalition to Reduce Cyber Risk

Opening of registration & coffee

War in Ukraine: lessons for the EU’s cyber diplomacy

Session organized by EU Cyber Direct

Over the past decade, the European Union has taken significant steps to boost its resilience and strengthen its response capacities against malicious operations that target its Member States and partners. The so-called Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox – with a horizontal cyber sanctions regime as one of its major components – has given some structure to the EU’s action in this domain, but remains criticized for little impact and insufficient operational capabilities to back up the EU’s narrative. In light of the recent Council conclusions on developing the Union’s cyber posture and the forthcoming review of the EU’s cyber defense policy expected later this year, this workshop looks at the lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine, where cyber operations are actively used by both sides of the conflict. The key question that we will address during the session is: How can the EU further strengthen its Toolbox in order to effectively counter malicious actors in cyberspace and provide assistance to its partners and allies?

• Laura Carpini, Cyber Ambassador, Italy
• Monica Kaminska, Postdoctoral Researcher, Leiden University
• Manon Le Blanc, Head of the Cyber Policy Sector, EEAS
• Julia Schuetze, Junior Project Director for International Cybersecurity Policy, Stiftung Neue Verantwortung, Germany
• Moderator: Patryk Pawlak, Brussels Executive Officer, EUISS

A Strategic Approach to Combatting Digital Authoritarianism

Session organized by GMF

The rise of digital authoritarianism – the systematic exploitation of digital instruments and systems to authoritarian aims – has posed a broad range of challenges for democracies across Europe and in the U.S. As our societies are increasingly confronted with the realities of the deployment of digital technologies for surveillance, censorship, and social control both by authoritarian states and by leaders with authoritarian tendencies within democracies, a new strategic approach is required to tackle digital repression and protect democratic values in the digital sphere. How can we build transatlantic consensus on such a long-term strategic response to digital authoritarianism and what should that response be? What policy steps can Europe take to counter digital authoritarian threats while promoting a digital ecosystem paradigm that better affirms democratic principles?

• Ricardo Borges de Castro, Associate Director and Head of the Europe in the World Programme, European Policy Center (EPC)
• Alessandro Gropelli, Deputy Director General - Strategy & Communications, European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO)
• Nad’a Kovalčíková, Senior Analyst in charge of the Transnational Security portfolio, EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS)
• Moderator: Vassilis Ntousas, Head of European Operations, Alliance for Securing Democracy

Lunch Break

Welcome & Introduction of the ECA theme: Harnessing the Power of Trust

• Patryk Pawlak, Brussels Executive Officer, EUISS
• Keynote by:
  Richard Kadlčák, Special Envoy for Cyberspace, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic

Armchair Discussion: Values in Digital Age: Techmate or what is Europe’s next move?

The EU’s digital and cyber policies are driven by the commitment to open, free, global, safe and secure digital domain. For decades, these universal values have provided a favourable ground for human development, economic growth and innovation. However, as the digital domain increasingly becomes an arena of geopolitical competition between great powers – both states and private companies – there is a growing concern that the risk of fragmentation and conflict in and over the digital domain will reverse the decades of progress. What is the EU's next move to build trust and security in cyberspace, and to advance Europe's position on the global stage?

• Bart Groothuis, Member of the European Parliament
• Richard Kadlčák, Special Envoy for Cyberspace, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
• Casper Klynge, Vice President, European Government Affairs, Microsoft
• Christina Kokkinakis, Deputy Managing Director for Values and Multilateral Relations, European External Action Service
• Moderator: Patryk Pawlak, Brussels Executive Officer, EUISS 

Coffee break

Fireside Chat: European Digital Sovereignty in the Global Race on Technology

Europe is shaping its narrative on digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy in the global policy context. How will the EU balance its commitments to a democratic, open, stable, peaceful, and secure cyberspace and its desire to achieve digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy?

• Gilles Babinet, President, Conseil national du numérique  (CNNum)
• Inge Bryan, Managing Director NCC Europe, Fox-IT
• Moderator: Liga Rozentale, Senior Director, European Government Affairs, Microsoft

Armchair Discussion: Left of bang: strategic considerations to prevent future cyber crises in the EU

This session will discuss the progress realized in developing an effective European cooperation framework to handle large-scale cybersecurity crises, for instance the new mechanisms under the EU Join Cyber Unit. Panelists will also explore how a bottom-up approach to crisis management and multi-sector cooperation can contribute to this collective effort considering the changing security landscape in Europe.

• Roman Kováč, Chief Research Officer, ESET
• Manon LeBlanc, Head of the Cyber Policy Sector, EEAS
• Tanel Sepp, Ambassador at Large for Cyber Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
• Despina Spanou, Head of Cabinet VP Schinas, European Commission
• Moderator: Annegret Bendiek, Deputy Head Research Division, SWP Berlin

Coffee break

Fireside Chat: Can Digital Activism Redefine War and Peace?

Countries increasingly use the Internet, cryptos, digital tools and social media to pursue their national interests and to deter against competitors or adversaries. Are these new technologies effective weapons of war? How can digital activism preserve democracy & freedom in times of peace?

• Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister for Digital Transformation, Ukraine
• Moderator: Alexandra Brzozowski, Global Europe and Defense Editor, EurActiv

Agora Spotlight: Supporting civil society’s engagement and improve its preparedness

The Agora Spotlights highlight the work of the four European Cyber Agora Working Groups. Working Group 2 investigated existing instruments and implementation status of policy measures, current civil society contributions relating to intrusion software and how policymakers and civil society can address this phenomenon.

• Klara Jordan, Chief Public Policy Officer, Cyber Peace Institute

Armchair Discussion: Growing use of offensive cyber capabilities: what are the implications for civil society and EU policy?

As illustrated by the proliferation of intrusion software across the globe, the private use of offensive cyber capabilities is difficult to monitor and control. Offensive cyber capabilities (OCC) keep growing in diversity, intensity, and sophistication and undermine the rule of law. How can civil society organizations support the establishment of an effective governance model while ensuring their own protection against these technologies? How can governments ensure transparency and rule of law in the use of these technologies? What are the tools in the EU's Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox that can address this phenomenon? What other solutions are being explored in the EU and globally? 

• Fanny Hidvegi, Europe Policy and Advocacy Director, AccessNow
• Andrew Lee, Director of Government Affairs, ESET
• Jeroen Lenaers, Member of European Parliament, Chair of the PEGA Committee
• Monica Ruiz, Program Manager, Digital Diplomacy Unit, Microsoft
• Moderator: Klara Jordan, Chief Public Policy Officer, Cyber Peace Institute

Reception

Opening of registration & coffee

Recalling socio-technical perspective: European cyber crisis management between uncertainty and complexity

Session organized by the Center for Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure Protection

Current transboundary cyber security crises can easily transcend geographical and functional borders. Such crises also test the limits of the technical capacity, leadership, organizational structure, communication, and management of digital assets. In order to respond increasing complexity, uncertainty, economic and societal needs, it is required to develop a novel cyber security crisis management perspective. In that respect, this workshop aims to “call the social back” and discuss how to establish an improved and multistakeholder based Pan-European approach for cyber crisis management by developing a “human-centric” perspective.

• Martina Castiglioni, Formation and Orientation Manager, CYBER 4.0 - Cybersecurity Competence Center
• Alessandro Lazari, Senior Key Account Manager, F24 AG
• Siraj Ahmed Shaikh, Director of Centre for Future Transport & Cities (CFTC), Coventry University
• Moderator: Salih Bıçakcı, Assoc. Prof., Kadir Has University

Tools and methods for developing safe thinking and habits that help to soften or prevent online hacks

Session organized by the Institute for Cognitive Modelling

Cybersecurity is one of the most important components of national security. In times of peace, and in war and conflict, adversaries are using cyberattacks to compromise governments, business, and citizens.

Developing habits and skills are therefore critical to protect public or private data. All parts of society have an interest to recognize hidden threats, prevent the attack, or minimize the damage.

Experts will share best practices and lessons learned from Ukraine. How has society adapted to cyberattacks in conditions of war? Which habits should become familiar to the citizens of the country to prevent online hacks? How to act if intruders have already gained access to data? How to strengthen the notion of human firewalls to contribute to privacy, security and accountability in cyberspace?

• Ievgen Vladimirov, Honorary Member, International Cybersecurity University
• Volodymyr Nosov, CEO, Whitebit
• Viktor Berezenko, Board Member, Institute for Cognitive Modelling
• Moderator: Liga Rozentale, Senior Director, European Government Affairs, Microsoft

Lunch Break

Thought Experiment: The European Cyber Agora Agenda in 2025 

This session aims to create an interactive exchange with participants on the future of the EU's cybersecurity policy agenda: what are the cyber and digital issues likely to attract the most attention from policymakers by 2025?

• Romain Bosc, Program Manager, German Marshall Fund
• Bruno Lete, Senior Fellow, German Marshall Fund

Agora Spotlight: Advancing Open & Secure Cyberspace

The Agora Spotlights highlight the work of the four European Cyber Agora Working Groups. Working Group 4 explored the opportunities for Europe to plug into the multistakeholder ecosystem and build upon existing initiatives to ensure the mainstreaming of cyber capacity building goals and effective cooperation with EU’s global partners in this domain.

• David van Duren, Director, Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE)
• Raquel Jorge, Policy Analyst on Technology, Digital and Cyber Policy, Elcano Royal

Armchair Discussion: Next Generation Cyber Capacity Building: can and should the EU lead?

To support digital transition and development objectives worldwide while at the same time promoting open, free, global, safe and secure cyberspace, the EU Cybersecurity Strategy foresees strengthening institutional and financial capacities of the EU and its institutions to deliver cyber capacity building support globally. In a global trends and scenarios report of 2021, the EU is encouraged to consider the objectives and requirements of each available financing stream to be able to match overarching priorities with the potential funding across key themes: cybercrime, cyber resilience, cyber diplomacy, cyber mainstreaming in digital and international cooperation and cyber defence in light of the new European Peace Facility. How can the EU deliver on this goal and what challenges need to be overcome to achieve it? How to ensure better coordination of global cyber capacity efforts and how can the EU shape global developments in this domain more effectively?

• Harald Gruber, Head of Digital Infrastructure Division, European Investment Bank
• Axel Klaphake, Head of Division/Economic and Social Development, Digitalisation, GIZ
• Jacek Kubas, Head of Digital Hub, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• Carla Montesi, Director, Green and Digital Transition, Directorate-General for International Partnerships, European Commission
• Chris Painter, President, GFCE Foundation Board 
• Moderator: Nayia Barmpaliou, Lead Expert, EU Cyber Direct 

Coffee break

Agora Spotlight: Enhancing Collaboration between the Tech Industry and European Governments

The Agora Spotlights highlight the work of the four European Cyber Agora Working Groups. Working Group 3 explains the role of the private sector in deterring, preventing and responding to cyber threats. It aims to develop an industry toolbox to keep cyberspace safe in a European context.

• Thomas Boué, Director General, Policy - EMEA, BSA

Armchair Discussion: From Cloud to the Edge: the EU’s perspective on emerging technologies in a new geopolitical environment

The EU is following its digital compass through a swiftly transforming technological landscape. The development of key emerging technologies is being shaped by practical considerations in regulatory environments, supply chain modalities, and public acceptance of potentially invasive devices. The shift from Cloud to Edge also acutely reveals the intersection of regulatory actions taken up by European policymakers from markets, services, and security to data governance, artificial intelligence, and beyond. What opportunities lie in the exponential growth on edge technologies, and will Europe be able to build on these in a competitive global environment? What are the external factors and security implications of this shift from the Cloud to the Edge? Will Europe find a balance between respecting individual rights and managing risk in this pervasive technological environment?

• Jaya Baloo, Chief Information Security Officer, Avast
• Richard Browne, Director, Irish National Cyber Security Center
• Susanne Dehmel, Board Executive, Bitkom
• Pearse O'Donohue, Director for the Future Networks Directorate, DG Connect, European Commission
• Moderator: Jamal Shahin, Programme Director of the Advanced Master European Integration, Brussels School of Governance

Agora Spotlight: Enhancing Cross-Sectorial Lines of Communication 

The Agora Spotlights highlight the work of the four European Cyber Agora Working Groups. Working Group 1 examined how the EU can benefit from academic and civil society expertise to support the implementation of the European Cybersecurity Strategy? How can the EU enhance lines of communication across sectors, strengthening the link between decisionmakers and academia in this effort?

• Andrea G. Rodríguez, Lead Digital Policy Analyst, EPC

Coffee break

Fireside Chat: Priorities for the Transatlantic Digital Agenda

EU and U.S. cooperation can lead to further innovation and security, while avoiding overly restrictive policies that could undermine global supply chains. During this discussion, we will review recent initiatives such as the EU-U.S. Security Dialogue, the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and the Declaration for the Future of the Internet, and focus on how enhanced EU-U.S. collaboration can bring more security, diversity, interoperability, competitiveness, and resilience across ICT supply chain to benefit all from government, private sector, academia to consumers.

• Eva Maydell, Member of European Parliament
• Moderator: Peter Chase, Senior Fellow, GMF

Fireside Chat: Boosting EU-NATO Cooperation in Cyberspace

The discussion will focus on the latest developments in EU-NATO cooperation, the implications of the current geopolitical context, and how the EU Strategic Compass & the NATO New Strategic Concept can serve as a framework to strengthen EU-NATO cooperation in tackling future cybersecurity and other challenges.

• James Appathurai, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, NATO
• Joanneke Balfoort, Director, Security and Defence Policy, EEAS
• Moderator: Merle Maigre, Senior Expert on Cyber Security, e-Governance Academy

Concluding Remarks – Goodbye
Followed by Reception

• Nikolas Ott, Project Manager, European Governmental Affairs, Microsoft