Security technologies for the protection of critical infrastructures — Ethical risks and solutions offered by standardization

The added value of standards is shown in numerous research articles. Several recent studies also highlight the need for security standards. Security products and services may bear ethical and privacy-related risks which can impede acceptance of new security solutions. Specific privacy standards may help to overcome such problems, but privacy issues of security technologies are not covered by standardization research so far. This paper deals with the topic from mainly German and European perspectives. Based on a survey in the German security research program, it gives an overview of security technologies, the specific risks they bear and their importance. Three technology-related categories were identified: surveillance solutions for detection from distance, solutions for obtrusive detection and data processing. Relevant risks were described and discussed. Solutions based on standardization were shown. The paper finishes by giving recommendations for new privacy standards.