Enhancing cooperation in the field of cyber security and 5G communication networks
During the ICT 2018 conference, Dr Luigi Rebuffi, Secretary General of the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) and Dr Colin Willcock, Chairman of the Board of the 5G Infrastructure Association (5G IA) co-signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
The aim is to enhance future cooperation in the field of cyber security and 5G communication networks. The Memorandum of Understanding formalises the mutual interaction and cooperation in exchanging information and experience in the field of cyber security and 5G, to identify and address the needs of vertical sectors and research priorities for the development of secure technologies and reliable 5G platforms, as well as to prevent fragmentation in terms of technology deployment across borders and sector.
ECSO and 5G IA have a shared objective of establishing a common and coordinated strategy for a secure and trustworthy 5G communication network, as its application will have an impact on many sectors, including e-health, industry 4.0, intelligent transport, entertainment & media, just to mention a few. The strengthened cooperation between ECSO and 5G IA will further support the European Commission in its proposal to have strong European leadership in 5G communications and cyber security.
As the contractual partners to the European Commission in implementing Public-Private Partnerships on cyber security and 5G, ECSO and 5G IA aim to foster cooperation between European stakeholders from public and private sectors and sustain the implementation and development of the Digital Single Market. ECSO Working Groups deal with different European cyber security industrial policy issues, including standards, sectoral demand, as well as research and innovation (R&I), which are all important to the implementation of a 5G Action plan, allowing citizens and businesses to access a reliable, dependable and trustworthy European 5G communication network.
The mission of 5G IA is to create the next generation of communication networks and services – providing ubiquitous connectivity, enabling the European industry to successfully compete on global markets, facilitating the creation of new societally beneficial services and opening new innovation opportunities. 5G IA has also established a Security Working Group to foster the development of the 5G Security Community.
Colin Willcock, Chairman of the 5G IA Board said “As 5G technology encompasses more and more aspects of our life to create the digital society of the future, the security of such networks will become a vital requirement. Robust and secure 5G networks will be key to the future competitiveness of European Industry, as such cooperation between ECSO and 5G IA is an important step to achieving this goal”.
Luigi Rebuffi, Secretary General of ECSO, added that “5G is key for the future development of the vertical sectors and, as such, ensuring the end-to-end security of 5G services and solutions is an extremely important task. It is only with trustworthy and dependable communication network infrastructures that the growth and competitiveness of the European industry can be ensured. A close cooperation with the 5G IA will help to advance our efforts to foster the secure-by-design principle in the development and implementation of 5G services.”
