Dialogue on Trusted Computing (TC)
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are becoming increasingly complex and pervasive in society and throughout the economy. As a result, society becomes more dependent on the uninterrupted, correct and secure functioning of ICTs as well as the degree to which the technology respects privacy. It is essential to assess emerging technologies such as TC and their public policy impacts. For this reason, the European Commission has launched and stimulated a debate on whether and where TC is needed from a broad societal perspective.
The advent of TC
The deployment of TC is intended to provide for secure data processing within a distributed and connected environment and might be considered as a means to simplify the management of security risks in such environments.
In the following context, TC is understood in a broad sense as a set of hardware and software features embedded in the components of a computing architecture that supports the reinforcement of trust in computing. This computing architecture consists of several so-called trusted components: platform, operating system, middleware, application, and associated trusted service.
The debate on TC
TC which administers and sometimes restricts the functionality of a device in order to enhance information security has the potential to become even diffuse across all aspects of our life. Therefore, an early understanding and anticipation of possible societal and economic impacts would be desirable. Against this background, it is essential to assess emerging technologies such as TC and its public policy impacts especially from an interdisciplinary perspective that is based on an open and inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue.
The current status of our analysis and discussion with domain experts and Member States identified some general requirements and basic requirements that are summarized in a staff working paper "Trusted Computing: a public policy perspective" on which comments can be submitted to infso-nis@ec.europa.eu.
Activities on TC at EU level so far
The Commission has already started to reflect on potential public policy impacts with a view to stimulate and shape the discussion among all stakeholders about crucial issues from a European point of view.
In a workshop that raises awareness and highlights issues related to trusted computing from a public policy perspective, speakers from the public and the private sector are addressing Member States officials and experts involved in policy making.
At an expert workshop participants made statements on potential public policy impacts related to trusted computing discussed crucial issues to be dealt with at EU level. Report
Return to the list of Activities
Last updated: 17.2.2008