The Third Prague 5G Security Conference has ended

One of the world's biggest cybersecurity events has ended. Due to the pandemic measures, the event, organized by the National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and under the auspices of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, was held mainly online and partly at the O2 Universum in Prague. The conference focused on issues related to the security of 5G networks and the so-called Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs). The two-day event was concluded with a speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jakub Kulhánek and the Director of NÚKIB Karel Řehka.

"This conference contributed to promoting our common values and supported the building of a safer, freer and more resilient digital society," said Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhánek at the end of the conference. According to NÚKIB Director Karel Řehka, disruptive technologies require not only our attention, but above all an approach based on trust and mutual cooperation: "The Czech Republic is ready to continue its international efforts in the field of 5G network and disruptive technologies security and to cooperate closely with its partners, including within the European Union, NATO and other international organizations."

Almost seventy speakers from Europe and around the world presented at the conference. Guests from Israel, Korea, Singapore, Germany, Japan, Australia, Great Britain, USA, Canada, Estonia, Holland, France, India, Lithuania, and the United Arab Emirates accepted the invitation. "Representatives from the public, private, academic and non-profit sectors were present at the conference, which is important. We heard views on the 5G security implications presented by government representatives, international organizations, think tanks, researchers, operators, and subject matter experts from around the world," summarized Karel Řehka in his closing remarks.

The two-day conference was split into several thematic panels attended remotely by hundreds of international participants. Trustworthiness and resilience of 5G technologies and EDTs was a recurring theme throughout the conference. It is the next generation networks that will become the backbone infrastructure for the digital economy and societies in the future, in addition to ensuring the boom and wider use of disruptive technologies. "It brings about huge benefits and advantages, but at the same time, these things that depend on 5G networks also have a flip side. That is why it is necessary to have people who will deal with these threats, people who will see to it that 5G networks and disruptive technologies serve and do not harm," pointed out Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, in his opening speech at the conference.

The main part of the conference was traditionally held behind closed doors, with the opening and closing speeches available to the public via online streaming. Speakers at the conference included European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, Australian Home Secretary Karen Andrews and UK Minister of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Julia Lopez.

At the end of the conference, the Prague Proposals on Cyber Security of EDTs were presented. The participating countries agreed on possible principles for a future approach to disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Communication Infrastructure, Big Data Advanced Analytics, Autonomous Systems and Massive Internet of Things. The document mentions, for example, an approach based on consideration of technical and non-technical risks, supply chain security, transparency, trustworthiness and diversification, as well as democratic and ethical values in the context of 5G infrastructure.

This year's conference also resulted in the second set of proposals, the Prague Proposals on Telecommunications Supplier Diversity.