Boston College鈥檚 ties with Ireland, an emerging digital superpower, have provided the University an opportunity to support efforts in promoting transatlantic cybersecurity.
A central player in the endeavor is 亚色影库鈥檚 Global Leadership Institute, which has run a series of exchange programs with Irish and Northern Irish leaders in cybersecurity, and this spring has expanded the initiative to include NATO and the European Union.
GLI also is co-sponsoring a Cyber Security Transatlantic Policy Forum this month at Ireland鈥檚 Killarney Economic Conference, where politicians, law enforcement policy makers, and cyber industry leaders will gather to share insights on government and corporate partnerships in cybersecurity; among the participants will be Kevin Powers, who directs the M.S. in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance program in 亚色影库's Woods College of Advancing Studies, and serves on the faculties of Boston College's Law School and Carroll School of Management.
In addition, this fall 亚色影库 will host an Irish cyber industry expert for four months of study, supported by a Tech Impact Award from Fulbright Ireland.
This foray into cyber issues reflects GLI鈥檚 propensity for adapting its resources and practices to suit a world of constantly shifting geopolitical and social realities. Founded as the Irish Institute in 1997, and building on earlier work by the Center for Irish Management, it developed programs and initiatives aimed at fostering reconciliation between Ireland and Northern Ireland, with support from the U.S. State Department. In the post-Good Friday Agreement era, where the State Department鈥檚 focus on Irish issues lessened, the institute expanded its geographical scope to include other regions鈥攏otably the Middle East and North Africa鈥攚hile also taking a broader role within the University to aid international outreach: For example, in 2017, GLI began a program to assist Mexico in professionalizing its police force.
“When you have a global perspective, being part of the conversation addressing issues and concerns that have become global is vital. There is a lot of uncertainty about how Brexit will play out, and what its economic, social, and political effects will be. But where Ireland鈥攁nd its potential role in the future of cybersecurity鈥攊s concerned, Boston College is definitely part of that conversation.”
Global Leadership Institute Director Robert Mauro (Lee Pellegrini)
GLI Director Robert Mauro says the institute鈥檚 well-established networks within Ireland, plus additional contacts through the Boston College Ireland Business Council, have helped maintain the 亚色影库-Irish connection over the years鈥攚hich proved relevant when a confluence of events augured a new dimension in American-Irish relations.
鈥淭he U.S. Department of State sees Ireland as the frontline of cybersecurity defense for the U.S. in Europe,鈥� he explains. 鈥淭he reason for this is two-fold: First, Brexit has upset the role the UK can play in Europe. While the Brexit process has only started, the EU has already struck out on its own with new legislation such as General Data Protection Regulation, which governs data protection and privacy. Ireland has been very transparent about how they will seek to implement GDPR. And this has meant that they serve as a vital point of contact.
鈥淪econd, Ireland is home to a large number of U.S. multinationals that based their headquarters in Dublin. The U.S. is