Cybersecurity has increasingly drawn attention over the last few months. Indeed, the amount of cybersecurity breaches occurring due to COVID-related circumstances is on the rise. Yet, European regulation has only focused on criminalising cyber hacking and other violations of digital infrastructures and on creating compliance mechanisms to limit the cybersecurity risks. Especially in Europe, less attention has been paid to the enforcement of these duties and the role of courts when it comes to resolving conflicts pertaining to digital issues.

The first webinar in the series explored the European cybersecurity policy, with the European Union starting to increasingly regulate the matter. The panelists showed how compliance mechanisms and certification mechanisms work with each other in order to prevent cybersecurity disputes arising. Diletta De Cicco (Steptoe & UCLouvain) presented the challenges of defining and regulating cybersecurity in Europe. Renate Verheijen presented the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)’s point of view.

It was observed that regulating should take place at the EU Level. It would ensure the harmonisation of definitions and compliance mechanisms regarding obligations, responsibilities, rules and procedures. It would offer common grounds for handling complaints and penalties.

The programme of the webinar series, organised under the scientific supervision of Enguerrand Marique, Charles-Albert Helleputte and Diletta De Cicco, can be accessed here.