EU told to seek help from internet giants

The European Council is being urged to turn to internet businesses for a solution to encryption so that it can combat terrorists, while continuing to evaluate how NSA spying affects privacy.

In a breached document detailing  minutes from a meeting, Gilles de Kerchove – the EU’s co-ordinator of counter-terrorism operations, or CTC – talked about Europe’s unprecedented serious and diverse terrorist threat. The recent Charlie Hebdo attacks that took place in Paris were given as an example.

The meeting notes show that discussions took place regarding preventing internet radicalisation, engagement with internet firms, and the sharing of information among member states.

However, the EU CTC has generated the most controversy with regards to encryption, suggesting that it is up to law enforcement to solve the encryption issue. The comments echo those made by PM David Cameron.

Page 10 of the document reads:

“Since the Snowden revelations, internet and telecommunications companies have started to use often de-centralised encryption which increasingly makes lawful interception by the relevant national authorities technically difficult or even impossible.”

Established internet companies are certainly in a position to advise the European Council, with their vast experience. The average SME, however, is unlikely to have the budget to seek such counsel. To combat any IT security issues, they would typically turn to security staff to help keep their systems and data secure. This is why IT security recruitment is such an important part of today’s job market, although it is one that still requires further attention.