Navigating the Digital Future: Standards-led Digital Economy (BSI)

4 Dec 2023 11:30h - 13:00h UTC

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Table of contents

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Full session report

Nigel Croft

Standards are crucial to support the transition to a digital economy and facilitate digital trade. They play a vital role in helping organizations deliver on their promises to customers, building trust and stability during the process of digitalization. Standards also support policy initiatives and promote both international and national trade.

However, there is a need to increase policymakers’ awareness of standards and their importance in decision-making. Collaboration between National Standards Bodies and policymakers is necessary to enhance visibility and ensure effective utilization of standards. This collaboration will contribute to the integration of standards into policy frameworks, strengthening their impact on economic growth and development.

In terms of data privacy, digital identification, and interoperability, standards play a critical role. For example, ISO IEC 27001 ensures information security and protects user data. Standards for digital identification and provenance are essential for digital services in different sectors. Interoperability standards, meanwhile, ensure smooth integration of digital systems, promoting efficiency and reducing barriers to trade.

Looking ahead, the significant role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) management systems becomes apparent. The impending publication of the ISO IEC standard for AI management systems will influence international policy initiatives related to AI.

Digitalization and e-commerce are not isolated processes, but strongly connected to other sectors and programs. The Standards Partnership Program, initiated by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in collaboration with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), promotes bilateral and international trade. By partnering with 11 countries, this program highlights the interconnected nature of digitalization and its impact on various industries.

Synergies between the Standards Partnership Program and the Digital Access Program can be leveraged for mutual benefit and development. BSI actively seeks to combine these initiatives to enhance standards, promote digital access, and support trade.

In conclusion, standards are vital in supporting the transition to a digital economy and facilitating digital trade. They build trust, ensure data privacy, promote interoperability, and guide the adoption of AI management systems. Raising policymakers’ awareness and fostering collaboration between National Standards Bodies and policymakers are crucial. The intertwined nature of digitalization and its impact on different sectors emphasizes the need to align efforts and harness synergies. Embracing standards and collaboration will enable countries to navigate the digital revolution and thrive in the digital economy.

Peter Sissons

The discussion focused on the positive impact of voluntary standards on globally diverse organizations. These standards support economic efficiency and productivity gain, contribute to environmental sustainability, and aid in the transition to net-zero emissions. They also enhance innovation by bringing stakeholders together to agree on best practices. Additionally, voluntary standards reinforce global trade and promote interoperability.

However, challenges were identified, including the globally fragmented digitization journey, which leads to a growing digital divide. This unequal progress in digitization poses challenges in meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Visibility of standards, especially to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and policymakers, was identified as another challenge. It is crucial to raise awareness among SMEs and policymakers about the role of standards in supporting their policy objectives to drive adoption and impact.

Standards and associated national quality infrastructure were recognized as essential in enhancing digital services and provision. They provide a basis for firms to join global value chains, contributing to economic growth and innovation, aligning with SDG 9.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was commended for launching a toolkit exploring the role of standards in supporting different policy outcomes, emphasizing the significance of standards in partnership building for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The difficulty of engaging with industries in the standard-setting process was acknowledged, recognizing the importance of effective industry engagement for developing robust and relevant standards.

Practical implementation can be improved by disseminating the core concepts of standards in simpler formats, especially for SMEs, to ensure broader adoption and compliance, leading to improved business practices and economic growth.

In conclusion, voluntary standards have a positive impact on globally diverse organizations, promoting economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, and innovation. Challenges such as the digital divide, lack of visibility, and industry engagement were identified. The importance of standards in enhancing digital services, supporting policy objectives, and fostering partnerships was highlighted. Simplifying the dissemination of standards for better understanding, particularly among SMEs, was emphasized. This information is valuable for organizations and policymakers interested in leveraging the potential of voluntary standards to achieve the SDGs and promote sustainable development.

Alessandra Lustrati

Digital transformation is crucial for developing an inclusive, responsible, and sustainable digital economy. This process involves focusing on the government, economy, and society. Inclusivity is a key aspect, as approximately 2.6 billion people currently do not have online access, with women facing greater barriers. Sustainability is also important, considering the environmental costs of digitalization and the potential for digital tools to help communities adapt to climate change. Additionally, digital standards play a central role in driving the development of a more inclusive and responsible digital economy. The Safe Digital Access Program, supported by the government, promotes inclusive digital access for underserved communities. Cybersecurity is another crucial aspect, with a need for comprehensive understanding and engagement with key stakeholders, including the private sector. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) approach to digital development, including the Digital Access Program, supports firms and enterprises from a digital perspective. Furthermore, e-commerce is a critical part of the FCDO’s digital development framework. Understanding the needs and challenges faced by digital enterprises is important for their participation in the digital economy. Overall, addressing barriers to access, considering environmental impact, establishing digital standards, enhancing cybersecurity, and supporting digital enterprises contribute to an inclusive, responsible, and sustainable digital economy.

Audience

Standards play a crucial role in helping countries overcome challenges related to infrastructure and expertise. This is particularly evident in areas such as AI technology and cybersecurity, where standards provide a framework and guidelines for ensuring that infrastructure and expertise meet necessary requirements. By implementing and following these standards, countries can enhance their capabilities and effectively address infrastructure and expertise problems.

ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, recognizes the importance of standards in supporting policy objectives. They have launched a toolkit to assist policy makers in aligning standards with their policy goals. This toolkit serves as a valuable resource, helping policy makers understand how standards can be integrated into policy frameworks and contribute to achieving objectives in areas such as industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

One challenge with standards is their complexity, which can make them inaccessible and difficult for industries to understand and implement. However, when complex standards are translated into more accessible formats, they can effectively engage industries. ISO has demonstrated this by launching the “Little Book of Cybersecurity,” which breaks down and explains the core principles of the 27001 standard. Making standards more digestible and easier to comprehend increases industry acceptance and implementation, leading to better adherence and overall improvement in various sectors.

E-commerce is a significant concern in international trade, with developing countries expressing apprehensions about its impact. This concern has been raised at the World Trade Organization (WTO), highlighting the need for attention to be given to the development of e-commerce policies. Developing countries recognize the importance of e-commerce in achieving sustainable development goals and are emphasizing its inclusion in trade discussions and negotiations. As part of the digital access program, e-commerce has been identified as a priority, reflecting the recognition of its potential in promoting economic growth and digital connectivity.

While the focus on standards is crucial, it is also essential for organizations like the British Standards Institution (BSI) to pay attention to data and data-driven economies. The last Digital Economy Report from BSI emphasized the significance of data and data-driven economies in the current digital landscape. With the increasing reliance on data and the growth of data-driven industries, BSI should allocate more resources and efforts towards understanding and addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with data. By doing so, they can further support the development of robust standards that enable efficient and secure data-driven economies.

In conclusion, standards play a vital role in addressing infrastructure and expertise problems, particularly in areas such as AI technology and cybersecurity. ISO’s toolkit for policy makers facilitates the alignment of standards with policy objectives. Making standards more accessible to industries fosters better engagement and implementation. E-commerce is a crucial trade-related concern, emphasizing the need for its inclusion in trade discussions. Additionally, BSI should focus on data and data-driven economies to effectively navigate the digital economy.

David Cuckow

The analysis explores the role of standards and standardization in driving operational efficiencies, quality, and trust within organisations. It highlights the importance of standards as best practices and asserts that their implementation can lead to improvement even without formal certification. Additionally, standards are instrumental in removing complexities from basic functions, enabling organisations to innovate.

Standardization is shown to be crucial in establishing trust in new technologies, particularly AI. Adhering to standards ensures the trustworthiness and reliability of AI, promoting secure adoption. Users are more likely to adopt technologies supported by established standards.

Contrary to the belief that standardization stifles innovation, it is highlighted that standards actually facilitate innovation. Streamlining repetitive tasks provides space for innovation, as exemplified by Wi-Fi and power standards that have enabled technological advancements.

While standardization offers numerous benefits, it also faces challenges due to rapid technological evolution and resulting fragmentation. The influx of new standards and best practices, along with jurisdictional differences in regulating technologies, presents complexities in the standards landscape.

Efforts are needed to involve small enterprises and startups in standard development processes, helping them scale their products. The British Standards Institution (BSI) is actively engaged in international projects to expedite standards development and foster innovation.

The UK government’s investment in innovation is acknowledged but struggles to meet infrastructure needs for scaling innovations.

Comprehensive education and awareness programs are necessary to promote the benefits of standardization. Lack of clarity regarding the advantages and outcomes of standardization is identified as a hurdle.

Public-private dialogue is seen as crucial for MSME regulation, and guideline standards and education are recommended to support MSME growth.

Incorporation of international standards within educational systems and promoting knowledge about global standards is proposed.

Standards are shown to promote interoperability in technological infrastructure, particularly in broadband and ITU-based spectrum distribution.

Data sharing faces challenges related to law, privacy, and commercial value, despite its recognized benefits. A data sharing and interoperability framework is proposed to simplify the process.

In conclusion, standards and standardization have a significant impact on operational efficiencies, quality, trust, and innovation. However, challenges such as fragmentation and the need for education persist. Efforts are required to ensure that standards keep pace with technological advancements and are accessible to all stakeholders.

AL

Alessandra Lustrati

Speech speed

188 words per minute

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4146 words

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1323 secs

A

Audience

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155 words per minute

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344 words

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133 secs

DC

David Cuckow

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155 words per minute

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4655 words

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1808 secs

NC

Nigel Croft

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135 words per minute

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2740 words

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PS

Peter Sissons

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598 secs