Cybersecurity and open data: Balancing transparency and protection
How the EU Cybersecurity Strategy ensures a safe digital future
As the global push for open data accelerates, the intersection between transparency and cybersecurity has become a critical focal point. With October being the Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we discover what role open data plays to ensure a safe digital environment. Open data initiatives offer opportunities for innovation and economic growth, but they also raise concerns about the security of sensitive information. In a digital-first world, ensuring both the free flow of non-personal data and the safeguarding of critical systems is essential for building trust.
Governments and organisations worldwide are increasingly adopting open data policies to foster collaboration and empower businesses with valuable insights. However, as more datasets are made accessible, the risk of cyberattacks on public infrastructure grows. Cybercriminals are becoming more advanced at exploiting vulnerabilities in the data ecosystem, leading to potential breaches that could compromise not just individual users but entire sectors.
In response, cybersecurity measures are evolving to meet the demands of open data environments, such as the EU Cybersecurity Strategy, introduced in December 2020. The European Commission aims to build resilience to cyber threats with this strategy, working closely with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). ENISA continuously researches techniques to ensure digital safety by organising events like the ‘Threathunt 2030’ that addressed the future of cybersecurity threats. Furthermore, through fostering cooperation between the public and private sectors, cybersecurity experts can develop solutions that allow for the benefits of open data without sacrificing security.
Striking the right balance between openness and security is a delicate process while the open data movement continues to grow. During October, more events and news will be published on our platform, so stay tuned. Register for our upcoming cyber and digital skills webinar or read our datastory on cyber disinformation to learn more about this topic.
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