Digital and network security: emerging technologies and breakthrough innovations

Imagine a tiny, solar-powered drone – the size of a hummingbird – that can remain in the air practically forever. A prototype has already been made. Unlike traditional solar-powered drones, which depend on a battery charge cycle, this design uses electrostatic propulsion to power a small rotor. The technology can offer new possibilities for secure communications, environmental monitoring, persistent surveillance, and search-and-rescue operations. 

Considered to potentially carry a considerable disruptive impact, this technology is one of eight identified in a horizon scanning exercise conducted by the JRC which brought together a diverse group of experts. These came from academia, research and technology organisations, startups and other businesses, industrial associations, law enforcement agencies and policy making.

The experts collected and reviewed information from the media, scientific literature, patents, publications, and EU-funded projects. Their goal was to evaluate and prioritise trends and signals that can shape the future of digital and network security.

The other seven technologies or emerging developments are listed as: deepfake detection, quantum-resistant algorithms, interoperability for end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) messaging systems, privacy and security in virtual reality, false data injection attack detection, inter-satellite communication, and privacy-preserving machine learning.

Beyond technology development 

Digital and network security is vital for safeguarding EU’s digital landscape. Breakthrough innovations and emerging technologies such as the ones identified in this exercise could protect the ever-greater interconnected landscape spanning individual, business, and government communications, alongside social media platforms, infrastructure safety systems, and scientific research communities.

But the quest for greater security also brings in challenges such as balancing the technological potential with ethical use. It raises questions about data usage, legal interception and regulatory compliance. The insights from the exercise are published in a policy brief which invites policy and decisionmakers to be aware of:

• The ongoing tension between consumer privacy and security needs
• Emerging geopolitical threats that can drive cyberattacks
• Regulatory frameworks (both enablers of and barriers to new solutions)
• Building trust and transparency in new security measures
• Economic barriers that can make advanced security solutions costly to develop or access.

Background

The horizon scanning exercise the findings of which are published in the policy brief was conducted within the FUTURINNOV project, a collaboration between the JRC and the European Innovation Council. FUTURINNOV stands for FUTURe-oriented detection and assessment of emerging technologies and breakthrough INNOVation.

The project was designed to support the EIC, the European Commission’s flagship programme for deep tech, in building strategic intelligence capacity by providing insights into emerging technologies and breakthrough innovations that are worth considering in the next years. 

The results of the analysis could contribute to a number of future policy initiatives in the field and ultimately keep EU citizens, businesses and governments, their data and their digital infrastructures safer.

For the wider public, better understanding of these key areas can provide better grasp of the digital challenges and security solutions that will shape our world in the years to come. Staying informed about new technologies is the first step towards being empowered to take the necessary steps to stay safe.

Related content

Securing the future - Horizon scanning for emerging technologies and breakthrough innovations in the field of digital and network security

FUTURINNOV project