Navigating the Legal Intersections of Cybersecurity, AI, DORA and Privacy 

A full-day conference, organized by the Malta Information Technology Law Association (MITLA)  

Tuesday 13th June 2023 
Trident Park Triq L-Imdina, Birkirkara 
08.30 – 17.00 

The conference cost for MITLA members is of €50 per person.
Corporate members can designate 3 persons as MITLA Members and the cost for the conference is of €50 per person.
The conference cost for non-MITLA members is of €100 per person and this includes 1 year of MITLA membership

Digital Safeguards is an upcoming event that aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the legal intersections of cybersecurity, AI, DORA, and privacy. This event is designed to help professionals navigate the complex and rapidly evolving legal landscape in the digital realm.

With interactive sessions and networking opportunities, Digital Safeguards is a must-attend event for legal professionals, cybersecurity experts, and technology leaders seeking to navigate the legal complexities of the digital world.

Agenda

08:30- 09:00Registration
09:00 – 09:10Welcome and Introduction
Dr. Antonio Ghio, President MITLA
09.10 – 10.351st Panel Discussion: Cybersecurity 
Keynote: Ms. Stephanie Borg Caruana: RMC Wise
Moderator: Mr. Keith Cutajar: CY4
Panelists:
Ms Lianne Zahra: RMC Wise, Dr. Ian Gauci, GTG, Mr. Efrem Borg: MDIA, Dr. Deo Falzon: MITLA, Mr. Matthew Yeomans: The Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Directorate
Sponsors: RMC Wise 



The Cybersecurity Act strengthens the EU Agency for cybersecurity (ENISA) and establishes a cybersecurity certification framework for products and services. The EU Cybersecurity Act introduces an EU-wide cybersecurity certification framework for ICT products, services and processes. Companies doing business in the EU will benefit from having to certify their ICT products, processes and services only once and see their certificates recognized across the European Union. Other upcoming regulations include the NIS2 EU directive aimed at achieving a high common level of cybersecurity across the Member States.

What challenges will these new regulations bring with them to local private and government entities? Any planned certification schemes being drafted to provide an added assurance to the professionals working with these regulations?

Following an introductory keynote session presented by RMC’s key cyber security specialist, a panel with various stakeholders will follow to discuss various challenges and topics arising in cyber security today.
10:35 – 10.50Coffee Break
10.50-12.152nd Panel Discussion: AI: Shaping the Future 

Moderator: Dr. Gege Gatt, CEO of EBO.ai 
Keynote: Mr. Kenneth Brincat, CEO MDIA
Panellists: Dr. Paul Micallef Grimaud: Ganado Advocates, Mr. Gavril Flores: MDIA, Prof. Alexiei Dingli: University of Malta, Dr. Dylan Seychell: University of Malta  

Sponsors:  Malta Digital Innovation Authority



Join us for a captivating 40-minute exploration of the ever-evolving world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) during our conference program. This session, titled “AI: Shaping the Future” delves into the transformative impact of AI across various industries and the ethical implications surrounding its rapid growth. Our expert panelists will engage in thought-provoking discussions on key topics, including the latest breakthroughs in natural language processing and computer vision, the integration of AI in law & order and education, and the pressing issue of AI governance and bias mitigation. Additionally, we will touch upon the societal challenges and opportunities presented by AI, as well as the prospect of human-AI collaboration.

12.15- 13.30Lunch Break
13.30 – 14.553rd Panel Discussion: Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)

Moderator: Ms. Alexia Valenzia: MITLA
Keynote: Mr Reuben Portanier: GTG Advocates
Panelists: Ms. Francesca Gauci: AQA Capital, Dr Cherise Abela Grech: GTG Advocates,  Dr. Franklin Cachia: CSB, Ms. Natalia Dabrowska: Finaro

Sponsors: GTG Advocates



The Digital Operational Resilience Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2554) solves an important problem in the EU financial regulation, as it “aims to consolidate and upgrade ICT risk requirements as part of the operational risk requirements that have, up to this point, been addressed separately in various Union legal acts. While those acts covered the main categories of financial risk (e.g. credit risk, market risk, counterparty credit risk and liquidity risk, market conduct risk), they did not comprehensively tackle, at the time of their adoption, all components of operational resilience.” 
 
DORA entered into force on 16 January 2023 and shall apply as from 17 January 2025 in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. The ESAs have already started preparing for its implementation, whereas in-scope entities will only have a limited time to implement it which, in view of DORA’s technical and operational complexity, is expected to be a challenge.

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), will take the role of compliance oversight and enforce the regulation as required. As to enforcement, DORA does not provide for fines or other sanctions for non-compliance and Member States are required to stipulate appropriate sanctions and remedies for breaches of the Regulation to ensure that they are effectively implemented in their national law, which remains to be seen. 

14:55 – 15.20Coffee Break
15.20 – 16.454th Panel Discussion: Privacy

Moderator: Dr. Antonio Ghio: MITLA 
Keynote: Dr. Paul Gonzi: Fenech & Fenech Advocates 
Panelists: Dr. Sharon Xuereb: Camilleri Preziosi Advocates, Ian Deguara: Data Protection Commissioner at Office of the IDPC, Geraldine Spiteri Lucas: CEO at Registrar of the Malta Business Registry, Matthew Caruana Galizia: The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation 
Sponsors:  Fenech & Fenech Advocates, Camilleri Preziosi Advocates


Whilst the General Data Protection Regulation introduced in 2018 has attempted to propel privacy legal frameworks into the 21st century, ongoing technological developments have continued to challenge our understanding of privacy. This position has also been experienced not only with respect to our appreciation of basic privacy concepts but most importantly when these legal issues extend into the domains of freedom of information and public data. How easy is it to balance competing rights of informational freedom and privacy? How can we ensure that data is utilized for the modernization of the public service delivery but at the same time protect the fundamental right to privacy? 
16:45 – 17.00Closing Remarks

Our Sponsors

MITLA is a member of the INPLP

    Subscribe for the latest
    IT Law updates

    Receive the latest IT Law updates straight to your inbox, gain access to our exclusive industry events, keep up to date with MITLA.