The Insider

Defending Europe: Cybersecurity Challenges, AI Threats, and the Future of Digital Sovereignty
The Cyber Frontier: Europe’s Digital Defense in Action In this episode, we look into the high-stakes world of cybersecurity in Europe, where every click matters and every byte counts. From the escalating sophistication of ransomware to the invisible power of social engineering, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the challenges reshaping Europe’s digital future. Here’s the big picture: How geopolitical tensions are fueling cyber threats like never before.The uneven playing field of resilience across EU member states—and why it matters.The dual nature of AI: a game-changer for security and a new target for attackers.The looming risks of quantum computing to today’s cryptographic standards.Why collaboration between research and industry is no longer optional. We’re also breaking down the EU’s NIS2 Directive and its role in fostering innovation, while exploring critical areas of research like IoT security and Zero Trust architectures. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a future-proof digital ecosystem—or why strategic autonomy in cybersecurity is key to Europe’s survival, this is your episode. Get ready to rethink cybersecurity from every angle. Because the future isn’t just about defense, it’s about staying one step ahead. Meet the Guest: Nelson Escravana With over 20 years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity innovation, Nelson Escravana is a force to be reckoned with. He leads the Cybersecurity R&D Unit at INOV, coordinating groundbreaking projects in offensive security, intrusion detection, and data security. Nelson’s resume is a masterclass in impact: Over 20 EU and national research projects, including the prestigious H2020 IRIS initiative focused on IoT and AI security.Critical contributions to organizations like ESA, NATO, and the Portuguese Government.Strategic leadership on H2020 projects like SECUR-ED, ECOSSIAN, and SPARTA. Takeaways Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field that impacts all aspects of life.Ransomware attacks are becoming more targeted and sophisticated.Social engineering plays a significant role in cybersecurity incidents.Geopolitical tensions are increasing the frequency and severity of cyber attacks.Disparities in cybersecurity investment among EU member states can weaken collective resilience.The EU is making strides in cybersecurity research and innovation, but challenges remain.AI presents both opportunities and threats in the cybersecurity landscape.Quantum computing poses risks to current cryptographic standards but also offers new security solutions.Building a future-proof digital ecosystem requires investment in skills and awareness.Creating an environment that fosters innovation is crucial for cybersecurity advancement in Europe. Protecting AI is a top priority in cybersecurity.Early detection and threat sharing are crucial.Collaboration between research and industry is essential.Specific industry problems should drive research efforts.IoT security is a growing concern due to interconnected devices.AI cybersecurity requires serious attention and controls.NIS2 directive will push companies to comply with cybersecurity standards.Strategic autonomy in cybersecurity technologies is necessary for the EU.Investment in certification programs is vital for trust in products.Balancing EU values with competitiveness is a significant challenge. Hear all in about Quantum Computing: Click here
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1:35:06
What Trump 2.0 means for R&I?
Welcome to this week’s episode of The Insider Roundup, where we delve into the pressing issues shaping Europe’s research and innovation landscape. Today, we tackle a timely and complex question: What would a second Trump presidency mean for European research and innovation (R&I)? As Trump returns to office, shifts in U.S. priorities are expected, potentially impacting Europe’s strategic, technological, and economic goals in critical ways. We'll explore the legacy of Trump’s first term, from environmental rollbacks to shifts in science policy, and consider the impacts of Biden’s collaborative agenda. Then, we’ll analyze five key areas where Trump 2.0 could disrupt R&I: climate science, AI, defense tech, health research, and STEM inclusivity. Alongside this analysis, we’ll discuss possible strategies for Europe to remain resilient and retain leadership, even amid potential transatlantic policy shifts. Tune in for a comprehensive look at how Europe’s R&I landscape might need to adapt to this new political reality. Don’t forget to subscribe and catch our weekly Insider Roundup newsletter for all things European R&I! Last Episode: https://pod.co/the-insider/inside-the-eus-research-innovation-engine-with-carla-matias Read Newsletter: https://hub.inesc.pt/12-11-2024-what-does-trump-2-0-mean-for-ri/
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39:25
Inside the EU’s Research & Innovation Engine with Carla Matias dos Santos
Ever wondered how European research and innovation policies are shaped from within? This episode of The Insider brings you right to the heart of EU policy-making with Carla Matias dos Santos, Research and Space Councillor at the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU in Brussels. Carla is not only an expert in her field but also a key player in representing Portugal's priorities in science, innovation, and space policy within the EU. In this episode, Carla pulls back the curtain on Brussels’ intricate world of diplomacy and decision-making, sharing her first-hand experiences and the challenges of balancing work and life in this dynamic hub. What we covered: 🔹 Coreper's Role in Policy Shaping: Coreper, or the Committee of Permanent Representatives, is where ‘hardcore diplomacy’ happens. Carla explains how this committee sets the stage for final decisions by aligning EU-wide goals with national interests. This is where negotiations get real, and consensus is built before issues reach the Council. 🔹 EU’s Co-Decision Process: We dive deep into how the European Parliament, Commission, and Council work together under the co-decision framework to shape policies. Carla elaborates on the complexities of balancing technical expertise with the democratic voice of the EU’s citizens. 🔹 Impact of the Draghi Report and MFF: With major implications for the future of EU research funding, Carla discusses the Draghi report and potential shifts in the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF). Will research and innovation maintain a standalone value in the budget, or risk being absorbed into broader competitiveness funds? 🔹 The Importance of Stakeholder Engagement: Carla sheds light on the essential role of stakeholder voices in Brussels and how Portugal advocates for a dedicated research office to enhance collaboration, share insights, and influence EU policies from the ground up. 🔹 International Collaboration and Future Challenges: We discuss why international cooperation is critical in the face of global competition and how security concerns shape collaborative policies with countries like the US and China. Carla’s perspective highlights the dynamic shifts in the EU's strategic research agenda, the growing influence of the European Parliament, and why stakeholder participation is key to securing a strong research future.
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1:28:53
Inside the EU R&I Energy Transition
In this episode, Ricardo Migueis discusses the implications of FP10, the EU's framework for research and innovation. He highlights the importance of balancing excellence with regional inclusivity in funding, the potential of a trust-first model for project evaluation, and the need for national contributions to meet EU budget targets. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of regional voices in shaping research policies and the necessity for cohesive efforts across all levels of governance to ensure Europe's competitiveness in innovation. Takeaways FP10 is crucial for Europe's global competitiveness.Regional voices are essential in the funding conversation.Cohesion in funding is as important as excellence.National contributions to R&D budgets are lacking.A trust-first model could enhance project efficiency.Public research has significant social and economic impacts.Skills development is vital for future innovation.EU funds should complement, not replace, local investments.Balancing regional needs with high-impact projects is key.The future of FP10 will shape Europe's innovation landscape. Chapters 00:00: Introduction to FP10 and Its Importance 03:10: Regional Perspectives on Research Funding 06:03: The Trust-First Model and Its Implications
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8:50
Navigating the Journey to ERC Success
In this episode, we sit down with Professor Marco Piccardo, the first INESC researcher to win an ERC grant while at INESC, marking a major milestone in his professional journey. Marco shares the fascinating intersection between creativity and scientific research, drawing from his groundbreaking ERC grant-winning project, MetaPOWER. He offers a rare glimpse into the unpredictable nature of idea generation, the importance of collaboration in refining research proposals, and the critical strategies behind a successful ERC application. Our conversation goes into both the personal and professional challenges Marco faced, shedding light on his approach to balancing the pressures of academia with the need for creative space. A key focus of this episode is "slow productivity" a concept that emphasizes sustainable, high-quality research outputs over time, which Marco argues is essential for long-term success in a demanding field like his. In addition, we explore the role of institutional support in fostering innovative research, a factor Marco credits as crucial in his achievements. Whether you're an aspiring researcher, an academic, or simply curious about the inner workings of cutting-edge science, this episode offers valuable lessons on perseverance, planning, and the art of managing both ideas and energy in the world of research. Key Takeaways: Creativity is at the heart of groundbreaking research.Ideas often emerge when least expected.Writing a successful ERC proposal demands both creativity and meticulous organization.MetaPOWER aims to revolutionize the way we understand laser-matter interactions.Crafting a compelling ERC proposal is a delicate balance between art and science.Long-term planning is essential for securing major research grants.Maintaining work-life balance remains a significant challenge in academia.Embracing slow productivity can improve the quality of scientific outputs.Institutional support plays a pivotal role in achieving research success.Energy management is key to sustaining long-term research efforts. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - The Birth of Creativity: How Ideas Emerge 07:12 - Navigating the ERC Grant Application Process 10:31 - Introducing the MetaPOWER Project: Vision and Impact 17:36 - Strategic Insights for Crafting a Winning ERC Proposal 25:14 - Balancing Work and Life in the World of Research 37:45 - Future Directions for MetaPOWER: What's Next? 53:21 - The Critical Role of Institutional Support in Research Success
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1:00:06

Welcome to 'The Insider' your go-to podcast dedicated to providing an in-depth overview of EU Research and Innovation. I’m Ricardo Migueis, your host, and I'm excited to take you through the most relevant discussions and debates. "The Insider" has two types of episodes: 1) The Insider Roundup (bi-weekly, on Tuesdays): Staying informed about the latest trends, policies, and conversations in the EU R&I sector can be a challenge. That's why we created 'The Insider Roundup'— to bring you a concise, engaging summary of what's happening across various social platforms. Whether you're a researcher, innovator, policy-maker, manager, lecturer, or simply someone passionate about R&I, this podcast is tailored just for you. 2) The Insider Interview: this is where we make in-depth analysis of specific policies, papers, books and relevant themes in EU R&I. In a conversation with hand-picked guests, based on previous research, publications and R&I policy documents, the goal is to give you the tools to better understand the systems of power that shape EU science and technology policy, funding, R&I institutions and industry.

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