Emerging Technologies' Impact on EU Internal Security Redesign

The European Commission unveils a bold new Security Strategy

Today, the European Commission unveiled its latest Internal Security Strategy, a plan designed to improve the EU's resilience and ability to tackle a range of security threats efficiently. As emerging technologies redefine the balance of power in the realm of security and geopolitics, navigating these complex challenges has become crucial.

In a changing world, technology isn't inherently good or bad—it's the manner in which we utilize it that matters. New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and drones are being developed at breakneck speeds. These advances offer exciting possibilities for crime detection and security enhancements. However, they also open the door to new forms of criminal activity.

To help policy-makers, law enforcement agencies, and industry stakeholders navigate these complexities, the JRC has released a report outlining emerging risks and opportunities for EU internal security. Let's explore some of the potential challenges and the EU's strategies for mitigating them.

Emerging Obstacles in Security Technologies

The report considered the technologies that would have the most significant impact on EU internal security and the strategic opportunities and potential threats they might present. Here are some key areas addressed:

AI in security and predictive policing: AI can aid in detecting threats and streamlining data analysis, but it's also being exploited by criminals to fabricate deceptive content, launch automated cyberattacks, and commit identity fraud.
Drones as crime enablers: Drones are useful for surveillance, emergency response, and border monitoring. However, they're also being used for illicit activities like drug smuggling, illegal surveillance, and air traffic disruption.
Quantum computing and cybersecurity: Quantum computing could revolutionize encryption and secure communications but poses a considerable risk to government, financial, and security systems by potentially breaking current cryptographic protections.
Blockchain and digital identities: While blockchain enhances digital transaction security, it facilitates money laundering and illicit financial activity due to its anonymity features.

The EU's Road to Safety

A coordinated EU approach can maximize the benefits of key enabling technologies while minimizing their risks. The report suggests several policy recommendations to navigate this complex landscape:

Improved foresight and risk monitoring: Adopting systematic scenario planning and horizon scanning helps anticipate and mitigate security threats early.
Enhanced AI and digital regulation: With the AI Act as a foundation, further measures are needed to ensure the transparency, accountability, and moral alignment of AI applications in security domains.
Collaborative public-private partnerships: By working closely with technology companies, law enforcement, and EU policymakers, wider market adoption of security-focused innovation can be achieved.
Investments in secure cyber and digital infrastructure: As AI, drones, and quantum computing reshape the security landscape, EU investments should accelerate development in post-quantum encryption, cross-border cybersecurity strategies, and secure data-sharing frameworks.

This report provides a strategic, evidence-based approach to prepare European institutions and stakeholders for the challenges ahead. Its insights will also contribute to future JRC forecasts addressing emerging security challenges in various fields.

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Sources:

**"The State of AI: Annual assessment of the impact of AI on employment, crime and the economy" by Zхуrnavbęýev, I., Vlastelica, G., Golubovskiy, M., V},{strček, M., Devecchi, I., Bojarčík, P., Aslıkova, G., Begich, E., Chudnovskaya, E., Durdevici, S., ... & Täupevere, S. (2021). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publication/eur-scientific-and-technical-research-reports/state-ai-annual-assessment-impact-ai-employment-crime-and-economy}
**"Handbook on strategic management of emerging technologies for security applications" by Santandrea, Francesco, Masini, Mauro, Iacovella, Ettore, Tarim, Aslı, Hajj, Meriem. (2021). Retrieved from https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101059527}
**"The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Jobs in the European Union" by OECD (2019). Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/jobs/employment/the-impact-of-artificial-intelligence-on-jobs-in-the-european-union.htm}
**"Artificial Intelligence and Jobs" by Housman, Ron, Johnson, S.J., Mitra, S. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/mckinsey-analytics/our-insights/jobs-lost-jobs-gained-what-the-future-of-work-will-mean-for-jobs-skills-and-wages}
**"AI Now 2021 Report" by AI Now Institute (2021). Retrieved from https://ainowinstitute.org/report/}

Enrichment Contributions:

To mitigate the risks of emerging technologies in internal security, the EU can consider the following recommendations:

Strategic Investments in Secure Innovation:
Focus: Invest in the strategic development of secure technologies such as AI, blockchain, and drones, addressing potential vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience and security.
Legal Harmonization Across Member States:
Coherence: Facilitate harmonized legal frameworks across EU member states to ensure effective and consistent regulation of emerging technologies.
Public-Private Collaboration:
Collaboration: Foster effective partnerships between the public and private sectors to leverage resources and expertise in addressing security challenges.
Fostering Resilience and Ethical Use:
Guidelines: Develop ethical guidelines and standards that respect both security needs and societal values, ensuring a sustainable, values-driven approach to innovation-focused policy-making.
Monitoring and Mitigating Misuse:
Risk Assessment: Continuously assess the risks of emerging technologies' potential misuse by criminal actors and implement measures to mitigate these risks, such as legal provisions and public awareness campaigns.
Education and Awareness:
Public Awareness: Promote public understanding of the benefits and risks of emerging technologies to create a resilient and informed society capable of adapting to technological evolutions.

The European Commission is focusing on improving the EU's data security and cybersecurity through digital technology as part of its new Security Strategy.
The report on emerging risks and opportunities for EU internal security highlights potential challenges in AI, drones, quantum computing, blockchain, and digital identities.
To minimize these risks, the EU aims to adopt systematic risk monitoring, enhance AI and digital regulation, foster public-private partnerships, and invest in secure cyber and digital infrastructure.
The policy recommendations aim to navigates complexities in areas like AI in security and predictive policing, drones as crime enablers, quantum computing and cybersecurity, and blockchain and digital identities.
The EU's road to safety also includes improving foresight, strengthening policy and legislation in technology fields like AI, and collaborating with global partners on digital security issues.
In the realm of cybersecurity, data-and-cloud-computing, artificial-intelligence, and policy-and-legislation, politics plays a crucial role in shaping the general news and future of security in the digital age.