In an article published in SAPO TEK, Fátima Caçador reports that Mário Campolargo, the Secretary of State for Digitization and Administrative Modernization, believes that it is crucial that people and companies follow safe practices on the Internet and comply with existing regulations. According to the article, the first sanctions can be applied this month, thus reaching amounts of up to 50 thousand euros.

The Secretary of State stated that, from now on, companies' approach to complying with cybersecurity legislation will change from pedagogical to repressive. He also mentioned that the measures of the Legal Regime for Cyberspace Security are not being complied with and that the coordinator of the National Cybersecurity Center announced the imposition of fines. Mário Campolargo guaranteed that the fines can be applied this month.

“ALL THE WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO ENSURE THAT WE GIVE ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES TO THE ENTITIES TO DEMONSTRATE THAT BASIC REQUIREMENTS ARE FULFILLED, AND IF THEY ARE NOT, WE HAVE THE FILES TO BE PROCESSED”.

Uniksystem has helped several entities to prepare and meet the requirements of the DL, having as a starting point the elaboration of the Security Plan.

In the interview with SAPO TEK, Mário Campolargo mentions that:

“We are being more and more objective in complying with the regulatory framework for cybersecurity. what we see is that some entities that should have a set of mandatory measures in the legal framework, are not having them”

Decree law 65/2021 provides for fines that can exceed 44 thousand euros for infractions such as the use of an invalid or expired cybersecurity certification mark, or for intentional omission of information or provision of false information relevant to the cybersecurity certification process. .

According to the Cyberspace Security Legal Framework established by Law No. 46/2018, fines of up to 50 thousand euros are foreseen for non-compliance with the obligation to implement security measures provided for in articles 14, 16 and 18. or for failing to comply with cybersecurity instructions issued by the National Cybersecurity Center provided for in article 7, paragraph 5.

The Secretary of State for Digitization and Administrative Modernization highlights the importance of Portugal investing in digital training and literacy actions, including basic and advanced training. He underlines that the country has improved in the international rankings of investment in cybersecurity and that the National Center for Cybersecurity is working with organizations and SMEs to raise awareness about cybersecurity and support them in protecting systems. In addition, he highlights the creation of Digital Maturity Seals as a way to make companies aware of the importance of digital maturity and cybersecurity.

The Secretary of State for Digitization and Administrative Modernization emphasizes the importance of collaboration for the defense of cybersecurity, where all entities have responsibilities. Mário Campolargo thus highlights the need to strengthen the protection of companies, increase the digital literacy of citizens and invest in strong authentication.

“THE INTERNET AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES ARE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO SIMPLIFY AND FACILITATE OUR LIVES, REDUCING DISTANCES, BOTH PHYSICAL AND TEMPORAL. BUT THEY CAN ALSO BE THE ORIGIN OF VARIOUS RISKS, MANY OF WHICH ARE DIFFICULT TO ANTICIPATE", REFERS MÁRIO CAMPOLARGO

The Secretary of State for Digitization and Administrative Modernization argues that strong authentication is essential to reinforce the security of public and private systems, including companies and citizens. He mentions the recent announcement of a new method of activation of the Digital Mobile Key using biometric data and highlights the importance of the duality of acting both at the citizen and company level to guarantee strong authentication. In addition, he says technology investments are shifting, with more attention being paid to “non-functional" issues such as usability and cybersecurity.