Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine
Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance
Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust
Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine
Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History
Luxembourg Centre for European Law
Luxembourg Centre for Socio-Environmental Systems
Abstract
This lecture investigates standardisation as an empirically informed mode of regulation in the context of European cybersecurity law. Building on recent developments surrounding the EU Cyber Resilience Act, it examines how technical standards are mobilised as regulatory instruments to achieve legally binding objectives across the digital single market. Using cybersecurity as a case study, the lecture highlights the challenges of entrusting European Standardisation Organisations with quasi-regulatory functions, particularly in relation to legitimacy, inclusiveness, and accountability. It argues that while standardisation can complement legislation by providing flexible, evidence-based solutions, it also raises critical questions of democratic oversight, institutional balance, and stakeholder participation.
Ultimately, the lecture situates cybersecurity standardisation within broader debates on the use of private rule-making to pursue public policy goals, offering insights into how law and regulation may adapt to technological complexity while safeguarding principles and values.
About the speaker
Pr Irene Kamara works as Assistant Professor at TILT. She is also affiliated researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Irene obtained a joint doctorate degree from Tilburg University and the VUB. She has conducted research for the European Commission, the Dutch National Cyber Security Agency, the European Cybersecurity Agency, the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, and others. She is invited as external expert evaluator of EU funded proposals. Irene was the winner of the 2021 Standards+Innovation Individual Researcher award of the European Standardisation Organisations. In 2025 Irene was awarded a KNAW Early Career Partnership. She is qualified attorney-at-law. Since August 2022, Irene is the Research Coordinator at TILT.
Language
English.
This is a free hybrid event. Registration is mandatory.
The event will run from 12.30 until 14.00. A cold lunch will be offered from 12.00.