Poland

Poland has been actively working on improving internet governance to ensure a safe, secure, and open internet environment. The country’s efforts are aligned with both European Union regulations and global internet governance principles.

Through various agencies such as the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE), the Polish government regulates the internet to ensure compliance with national and EU laws. This includes managing internet service providers, digital broadcasting, and telecommunications.

Following the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Poland has updated its data protection frameworks to ensure robust privacy protections. The Personal Data Protection Office (UODO) enforces these regulations.

In previous years, significant investments have been made to enhance broadband connectivity across urban and rural areas. Poland aims to provide high-speed internet access nationwide as part of the Digital Poland Projects Centre (CPPC) initiative, which focuses on reducing digital divides.

The government is also focusing on improving digital literacy and skills among the population. Initiatives like the Digital School program and various vocational training programs aim to prepare citizens for the demands, opportunities, and challenges of the digital world.

Poland has been improving the provision of digital public services. The ePUAP platform is a central point for accessing public administration services online, streamlining processes like filing taxes, registering residences, and more.

Polish stakeholders are active participants in various internet governance forums and initiatives at the regional and global levels. Polish stakeholders also participate in the Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) events, which bring together stakeholders from the region to discuss digital policy-related issues and challenges. At the global level, Poland is also a member of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

Poland also has a national internet governance initiative called IGF Poland, which was established as a bottom-up, multistakeholder platform for discussing internet-related public policy issues within the country.

Poland is making significant strides toward enhancing its digital landscape through strategic initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth, improving public services, and bolstering digital literacy across the nation. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to leverage digital technologies to modernise various sectors and prepare the population for the demands of a digitally driven future.

A cornerstone of Poland’s digital strategy is the Integrated State Computerisation Programme, managed by the Ministry of Digital Affairs in collaboration with an array of public and private stakeholders. Launched in 2014 and set to continue through 2022, this initiative focuses on modernising public administration and enhancing the efficiency of state operations through innovative digital technologies. The programme’s overarching goal is to streamline the interaction between citizens and public administration, thus making governmental services more accessible and efficient.

Looking ahead, the Digital Competence Development Programme 2020-2030 sets an ambitious agenda to significantly enhance digital skills across various demographic and professional groups. This extensive initiative targets not only general citizens but also government employees, ICT specialists, and workers within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By doing so, it aims to equip a broad segment of society with the necessary skills to navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

The programme is structured to address the urgent need for increased digital fluency, ensuring that all layers of society are prepared for the technological advancements shaping modern economies. From basic digital literacy to more specialised technical skills, the initiative is a key component of Poland’s strategy to enhance its human capital in the digital age.

One of the foremost priorities in Poland’s digital strategy is the expansion and enhancement of digital infrastructure. This includes significant investments in broadband and mobile internet access, particularly focusing on bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas. The government aims to provide nationwide high-speed internet access, which is seen as crucial for enabling digital services and fostering economic growth. To this end, Poland has adopted ‘5G for Poland Strategy‘. The 5G strategy for Poland focuses on developing fifth-generation wireless communication networks as a high priority for the Polish government, aiming to significantly boost the economy. By 2025, the plan is to provide universal access to the internet with a minimum bandwidth of 100 Mb/s or higher for all Poles. 

In recent years, Poland has emerged as a focal point in the global landscape of cybersecurity. The onset of the Russian-Ukraine war has exacerbated the situation, leading to a significant uptick in cyber-attacks targeting the nation. These attacks are not only prevalent but also span a diverse array of sectors, including healthcare, finance, and government institutions, marking a critical era in Poland’s digital defence strategy.

In response to the growing cyber threats, the Polish government, spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Affairs, has developed and implemented the Cybersecurity Strategy of the Republic of Poland for 2019-2024. This strategic document underscores the importance of resilience against cyber-attacks and the safeguarding of data across both military and private sectors. The primary objectives of the strategy include bolstering the national cybersecurity framework, enhancing the sharing of information pertaining to cyber threats, and refining the coordination among various law enforcement entities.

On the international stage, Poland is actively engaged in international cybersecurity collaboration, with the NASK Institute playing a pivotal role in both the research and implementation of effective cybersecurity measures. Poland has also ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, commonly known as the Budapest Convention.

Poland has established several critical response units known as Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRT) and Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT). These include:

• CERT.PL (CERT POLSKA): Operating under the Research and Academic Computer Network (NASK), it focuses on national cybersecurity threats.
• CERT Orange: Initially known as CSIRT Telekomunikacja Polska, this team caters to the cybersecurity needs of telecom service users.
• CERT.GOV.PL: Serving government agencies, this bilingual (Polish and English) team addresses cybersecurity issues pertinent to the government sector.
• Government Center for Security (RCB): This center plays a crucial role in the national security landscape, focusing on cybersecurity among other responsibilities.

In December 2020, Poland unveiled a national AI strategy with goals to transform the education system, foster the growth and innovation of AI companies, bolster national and international AI partnerships, develop a robust data ecosystem, and strengthen digital infrastructure.

Core Areas of Focus:

Society, Education, and Science:

• Educate the population on the benefits and necessities of AI.
• Overhaul the education system to enhance AI and digital literacy.
• Offer AI training programs and IT courses.

Economy and Public Affairs:

• Create a virtual research institute for AI in partnership with corporations, universities, and NGOs.
• Support AI research, development, and innovation across multiple facets.
• Implement AI technologies in the public sector to maximize their potential.

Regulation:

• Set up observatories and professorships to tackle ethical and legal issues in AI.
• Keep track of AI regulations both from European and international bodies.

Infrastructure:

• Develop a data policy that ensures the availability of high-quality data and enhances data sharing.
• Establish virtual data warehouses to facilitate industry data sharing among companies.

Societal Challenges:

• Fund AI projects that align with the objectives of the European Green Deal, which includes transforming energy production, advancing circular manufacturing, and cutting emissions.

The strategy’s overarching goals are to transform the education system, foster the growth and innovation of AI companies, bolster national and international AI partnerships, develop a robust data ecosystem, and strengthen digital infrastructure.