EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security: wrap up of the Annual Event 2024

On 28 November, the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security held its Annual Event in Brussels. The event was co-organised with HOME.F2 under the CERIS banner (the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security), in order to bring together the Hub and the CERIS communities.

The event gathered 165 representatives from the EU agencies participating in the Innovation Hub (EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security), the European Commission services, research and technology organisations, internal security practitioners from EU Member States, academic experts in the field of security and, last but not least, the members of the CERIS expert group.

This event was the opportunity to welcome a new member, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, that joined the EU Innovation Hub at the end of 2024.

This year’s event, themed “Shaping responsible solutions for internal security”, focused on the development of effective security solutions that meet citizens’ expectations for privacy, transparency, and accountability.

The opening of the event was marked by a keynote speech from Bartjan Wegter, EU Counter-terrorism Coordinator, and an address on the significance of innovation as a driver for EU security policy by Olivier Onidi, Deputy Director General of DG HOME. The speakers set a robust and forward-looking tone for the discussions that followed, underscoring the collaborative efforts of the Hub.

The first panel, titled “Foresight as a means to better prepare for emerging security challenges”, analysed key components necessary for a tailored foresight approach to civil security and discussed the integration of Key Enabling Technologies. The speakers also pointed out foresight as a crucial tool for law enforcement to identify global threats and opportunities, as well as to strengthen resilience and autonomy. The panel, introduced by Marta Cygan, Director for Innovation and Audit at DG HOME, explored ways to strengthen end-users’ foresight capacity and anticipate evolving security challenges within the EU.

The second panel focused on “Advancing Biometric Technology and Identity Management in the EU: Exploring the Need for Testbeds and Sandboxes”. Philippe Harant, Head of Strategy, Capabilities and Coordination Unit at eu-LISA led the discussion on the necessity and feasibility of creating a dedicated testing and evaluation platform for biometric and ID management technologies. This session also emphasised the importance of a legal framework to support the testing and evaluation phases of biometric systems, ensuring they are not discriminatory.

The third panel, “The benefits of Explainable AI in Internal Security”, introduced by Andrei Lințǎ, Deputy Executive Director at Europol, discussed how to demystify the use of AI in internal security. It explored how Explainable AI can enhance decision-making, accountability, and transparency, provided that human-AI collaboration and training are guaranteed.

The final panel, “Encryption & access to data”, introduced by Jorge Espina, Deputy National Member for Spain at Eurojust, and chairperson of the Eurojust Cybercrime Working Group, highlighted the importance of establishing sufficient control over encryption and explored innovative approaches to address encryption challenges. This session highlighted the importance of industrialising research results to create a level playing field in internal security, considering both technological advancements and judicial processes and with particular attention to safeguarding individuals’ fundamental rights and privacy.

Several CERIS experts were speakers and moderators in the panels and ensuing discussions, capitalising on the synergies between the Hub and CERIS. One of the findings of the event was that the Hub and CERIS should continue to collaborate. Furthermore, the event highlighted the importance of EU security research as a pillar of security, emphasising the need for a forward-looking approach and long-term investments.

For more information on the event or the Hub, please visit the Europol website.