Tenerife Hosts Cybersecurity Conference for Local Administrations
Tenerife’s local government held a cybersecurity conference today, focusing on safeguarding public institutions from cyber threats. The fifth edition of the event brought together specialists and representatives from various administrations to discuss issues including data protection and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
The conference took place at the University of La Laguna’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication. Experts from the National Cryptologic Centre, the Canary Islands Government, and the University of La Laguna shared insights on securing information systems and maintaining public service functionality.
José Miguel Ruano, the island’s councillor for Presidency, Administration and Public Services, emphasised that “cybersecurity is essential for all public administrations, regardless of size, as it directly impacts the protection of citizens’ data and the operation of public services.” He noted the increasing complexity of technological risks and highlighted the necessity of updating security protocols, training staff, and enhancing inter-agency cooperation.
Additionally, the conference highlighted the renewal of National Security Scheme certifications for the councils of Arafo, La Guancha, Santa Úrsula, and Santiago del Teide, ensuring their compliance with security standards for public information systems.
Sessions at the event included discussions on cybersecurity governance, regulatory updates, and response procedures to cyber incidents. Representatives from the National Cryptologic Centre detailed new regulations and operational mechanisms against cyberattacks. The newly established Cybersecurity Centre of the Canary Islands was also presented, along with the Cybersecurity Operations Centre in Tenerife.
Speakers discussed current cyberattack scenarios and the challenges of protecting personal data amidst the rise of artificial intelligence tools. Carmen López Belda, a legal consultant, addressed the data protection services provided for 22 councils in Tenerife.
The conference concluded with a presentation by Pino Caballero Gil from the University of La Laguna on university education in cybersecurity and the implications of quantum technologies. There was also a session on cooperation against cybercrime led by Ángel Miguel Godoy Alarcón, a member of the Civil Guard’s Technological Crime Team.
The event was organised by the Cabildo de Tenerife in collaboration with various local and national institutions, reflecting a unified effort to strengthen cybersecurity across local governments.
