SecurIST: Security & Dependability to Empower the Citizen in the 21st Century

To empower the citizen of the 21st century over the coming decades, Europe's Research Framework programmes are committed to the establishment of a solid security and dependability critical infrastructure. The IST-SecurIST FP6 project is charged with the coordination of a strategic agenda for ICT Security and Dependability R&D for the next framework programme of research and development in Europe (FP7: 2007 - 2013). The SecurIST project has established two fundamental bodies: a European Security and Dependability Task Force, (STF), drawn mainly from FP6 projects, whose role is to identify thematic Areas, and to identify and prioritise challenges within Security and Dependability research, and an Advisory Board (AB), comprising established experts, whose role is to review, advise, enhance and promote the STF and further prioritise areas for future research. This paper outlines the approach used, and gives preliminary results in achieving secure and dependable ICT citizen empowerment.