The public is regularly confronted with the effects of digitisation, which lead to a loss of trust (e.g. the recent Facebook scandal). Against this background, VERDI is researching questions of trustworthiness using the example of (partially) autonomous driving and driver assistance systems, building on the preliminary work of the Styrian partners in two EU projects. The aim is to develop criteria and survey methods to determine trustworthiness in driver assistance systems and to contribute to the efficiency of future standardisation and certification processes by clarifying fundamental questions. This should strengthen both the research and business location of Styria.

In the Horizon2020 research project TRUESSEC.eu an international, interdisciplinary consortium is working on the requirements for trustworthy and secure products and services in information technology (IT). The consortium is coordinated by Digital Catapult (UK). Other partner institutions are involved: Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (ES), Université de Lille II (FR), APWG European Union Foundation (ES), Knowledge Transfer Network Limited (UK), Asociacion de Usuarios de Internet (ES) and the University of Graz.

The development, implementation and everyday use of new information and communication technologies requires not only the creation of a legal framework, but also a deeper understanding of the associated social dynamics of trust and acceptance. The central issue here is “cyber security”, i.e. the question of how to deal with threats to the security of citizens, companies and other institutions from the digital sector. Today, this starting position requires not only the consideration of uncertainties regarding possible criminal threats, but also of European values and standards (e.g. the right to privacy). It is still largely unclear how these new challenges can be met in the processes established to date, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises in the regions. Therefore, the project with the short title “CyberSecInStyria” aims at a systematic philosophical-normative and also sociological analysis of the dynamics of security and risks in the course of digitalisation, which should support the efforts of the practice to establish a secure IT environment in Styria.