OC#8 2026

The work of the IETF ROLL WG significantly impacts European SMEs by developing internationally recognised open standards, such as RPL. RPL presents multiple open-source implementations has been tested through extensive simulations and continuous evaluations. Also, RPL meets all their required capabilities, such as energy-efficient mechanisms, which are pivotal for sustainable growth.
Moreover, the continuous enhancements by the ROLL WG are vital for the evolution and adaptation of new use cases pertinent to the European context. These improvements ensure robust interoperability and adherence to security standards, both critical for SMEs operating in the dynamic European market. This commitment to excellence and relevance is applied in the standard reviews carried out within the IETF Directorates, such as IoT, Routing, and General-Area sectors. Such endeavours underscore our dedication to supporting European SMEs' technological advancement and operational efficiency.

XThe work of the IETF ROLL WG significantly impacts European SMEs by developing internationally recognized open standards, such as RPL. RPL presents multiple open-source implementations, has been tested through extensive simulations and continuous evaluations. Also, RPL meets all their required capabilities, such as energy-efficient mechanisms, which are pivotal for sustainable growth. Moreover, the continuous enhancements by the ROLL WG are vital for the evolution and adaptation of new use cases pertinent to the European context. These improvements ensure robust interoperability and adherence to security standards, both of which are critical for SMEs operating in the dynamic European market. This commitment to excellence and relevance is applied in the standard reviews carried out within the IETF Directorates, such as IoT, Routing, and General-Area sectors. Such endeavors underscore our dedication to supporting the technological advancement and operational efficiency of European SMEs.

Harmonised cybersecurity standards for AI systems need to be developed and adopted, as a matter of urgency, for the benefit of the European industry, including SMEs and startups, as well as users and consumers. In this context, it is necessary to demonstrate the trustworthiness of AI systems. Cybersecurity is one of the many aspects of trustworthiness.

The AI Act highlights the importance of EU harmonised standards and conformity assessment (based on such harmonised standards) for industrial stakeholders (providers and deployers) and also for users of AI systems. Harmonised cybersecurity standards for AI systems need to be developed and adopted as a matter of urgency, for the benefit of the European industry, including SMEs and startups, as well as users of AI systems. In this context, it is necessary to demonstrate the trustworthiness of AI systems. Cybersecurity is just one of the many aspects of trustworthiness.
A balanced representation of interests involving all relevant stakeholders in the development of standards, contributions from SMEs, consumer organisations and environmental and social stakeholders are therefore welcome. FM Tech Consult BV is a Belgium-based SME.

The AI Act highlights the importance of EU harmonised standards and conformity assessment for the industrial stakeholders, for both providers and deployers, as well as users of AI systems. European harmonised cybersecurity standards for AI systems need to be developed and adopted, as a matter of urgency, for the benefit of the European industry, including SMEs and startups, as well as users of AI systems. It is important to demonstrate the trustworthiness of AI systems. Cybersecurity is just one of the aspects of trustworthiness.

This project clarifies for SMEs when they use standards related to trustworthiness characteristics, as conformity assessment for those characteristics will be done for defined domains and operating conditions.

The future JTC21 harmonized standards will impact every organisations involved in highrisk AI systems and willing to put their product on the EU market. Those future harmonised standards aim also at protecting health, safety and fundamental rights and have therefore an impact on European societies.

SME are better aware of risks and of controls required in IT and information protection. Recent EU GDPR, eIDA2 regulation, DORA, and NIS-2 directives developments impose a different view on IT risks, information security, data privacy protection and identity management controls, and by this a different awareness of the consequences that may fall down improper compliance to good practices. Good standard references help confidence establishment and maturity improvement in matter yesterday far from SMEs' concerns.

SME are better aware of risks and of controls required in IT and information protection. Recent EU GDPR, eIDA2 regulation, DORA, and NIS-2 directives developments impose a different view on IT risks, information security, data privacy protection and identity management controls, and by this a different awareness of the consequences that may fall down improper compliance to good practices. Good standard references help confidence establishment and maturity improvement in matters yesterday far from SMEs' concerns.

SME are better aware of risks and of controls required in IT and information protection. Recent EU GDPR, eIDA2 regulation, DORA, and NIS-2 directives developments impose a different view on IT risks, information security, data privacy protection and identity management controls, and by this a different awareness of the consequences that may fall down improper compliance to good practices. Good standard references help confidence establishment and maturity improvement in matter yesterday far from SMEs’ concerns.