ICT Security - Towards Secure-by-Design Infrastructure, Véronique Pevtschin (ENGINEERING) and Fabien Cavenne (THALES), representatives of EOS ICT Security Working Group, ENISA Quarterly Review, Vol. 5, Number 1, January-April 2009, pp.09-11.

  

Based on the assumption that the availability, storage and exchange of information in all sectors is necessary to fuel economic growth and improved competitiveness, the article highlights our and our physical Critical Infrastructures’ dependency on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) networks. In light of the increasing interconnectivity and pervasiveness of these networks, when failures occur, the impact of such failure is unfortunately often huge compared to the initial cause of failure. The chain of responsibility is unclear, and structured emergency and recovery plans are impossible to define, as it is nowadays virtually impossible to unambiguously identify the main operators, and the major physical and logical elements of our critical ICT networks. Consequently, the vast majority of the EU Member States has understandably defined cyber-security as a top priority.

This article, in order to address the weakness of the security of our critical networks, and summarizing EOS strategy, proposes resilience to be built inside the underlying information systems, and to improve the capability of existing systems. As a key concept for enhanced ICT Security, the adoption of a ‘Secure-by-Design concept’ is proposed.

 

For an analysis of the problem, and an elucidation of the Secure-by-design concept, please see the link section below.

 

The role of ASD in European Security and Defence, François Gayet, Secretary General, ASD, Independent Review on European Security & Defence, Vol. 2/2009, pp.57-58.

François Gayet gives an assessment of the regained momentum of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) following certain initiatives during the French Presidency of the EU: EDA is expected to be given a more important role while Europe’s military and defence capabilities will be strengthened. The EU Defence Package is judged to be a “mixed blessing”, as on the one hand it encourages the emergence of a genuine European defence equipment market, cross-border competition and trade. Yet, on the other hand it fails to overcome the EU’s internal market rules which have a hampering effect on European defence capability investment.

 

For the entire analysis, please see the link section below.