European Observatory to Combat Radicalization – EOCR
Data Protection & Cyber Security as Law Enforcement Core Business – EDEN Conference at Europol
europol.europa.eu – Europe’s most exciting event on data protection in law enforcement took place on 16-17 September 2024 at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague. Co-organised by the Academy of European Law (ERA), the 13th Europol Data Protection Experts Network (EDEN) event addressed the implications of data protection and cybersecurity for law enforcement and beyond.
The theme of this year’s EDEN event, ‘Data Protection & Cyber Security as Law Enforcement Core Business’, highlighted the opportunity for law enforcement to leverage advancing technologies while maintaining ethical standards and meeting legal requirements. The conference explored topics such as the impact of quantum computing, AI in policing, and strategies to combat disinformation, alongside discussions on balancing security concerns and individual rights.
The event featured a series of keynote speeches. The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), Wojciech Wiewiorowski, spoke on the critical relationship between the AI Act and data protection regulations, particularly in the context of data-driven investigations and law enforcement. He highlighted the growing importance of collaboration between law enforcement, academics, and scientist to effectively navigate the evolving digital landscape.
In an operational landscape where risks are constantly evolving, being accountable requires governance and controls by design and applied at the onset. But, it also calls for a permanent adaptation of our data protection processes to the changes in the threat environment. At Europol, the Data Protection Function is at the heart of these efforts. We must continue to support and empower Data Protection Officers as they help us navigate the complexities of managing sensitive information in a way that upholds public trust and the rule of law.
EDEN is not just a conference; it is a beacon for the data protection community, bringing together professionals, law enforcement officials, regulators, academics and representatives from the private sector and NGOs. It is a gathering that reflects the diverse and interconnected world we live in, where the protection of personal data is no longer just a legal requirement but a fundamental aspect of our shared values and a cornerstone of democracy.
Data protection at Europol
Data protection is fundamental to Europol’s work and forms an important part of its core business. The Data Protection Function, which operates with functional independence, works closely with Europol staff and is the initial point of contact for all data protection matters.
Europol upholds both security and privacy as essential elements of its operations, recognising that safeguarding privacy is integral to ensuring security. The organisation’s commitment to data protection lies at the heart of its daily work, reflecting the importance of both privacy and security in maintaining a safe, free society.
Through events like the EDEN conference, Europol continuously broadens its understanding of data protection, cybersecurity, law enforcement practices, technology, and fundamental rights, ensuring it remains at the forefront of these critical areas.
The EDEN network
Founded in 2015, the Europol Data Protection Experts Network (EDEN) is a collaboration platform that brings together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. It provides a forum for sharing knowledge, best practices, events, and projects related to data protection within a law enforcement context. EDEN is an invitation-only network and is not suitable for the exchange of operational personal data or classified information.
Each year, EDEN organises a conference featuring speakers and participants from law enforcement, the data protection community, private industries, NGOs, academia, and other interested sectors. To date, eight large-scale EDEN events have been held in The Hague (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024), Copenhagen (2019), Rome (2021), and Madrid (2023). Additionally, EDEN has hosted panels at the International Conference on Computers, Privacy, and Data Protection (CPDP) in Brussels every year since 2020.
This year’s EDEN Conference was particularly notable, as it included a dedicated panel for young professionals to share their views on the intersection of data protection, law enforcement, and cybersecurity. Given that these professionals will help shape the future of security, it is crucial that they have a platform to provide their insights and ideas.
EDEN is a space where experts across various fields engage in meaningful dialogue with one another rather than simply about one another. Through collaborations with universities, EDEN facilitates the exchange of knowledge and best practices, encouraging students to contribute their unique perspectives to the debates. These collaborations also provide students with opportunities to network with privacy professionals and influential figures in the data protection community, enhancing their understanding of data protection and cybersecurity, and strengthening the links between EDEN and academia.
