# Prospects of Cybersecurity in Smart Cities
## 5 Discussion  
Research projects promoted under Horizon Europe are a prime source of information for understanding security risks in smart cities. The EU has encouraged and funded several initiatives to promote the concept of smart cities and bring the poorest regions of the EU closer to the richest. European smart city projects often involve partnerships between cities, businesses, research institutions, and civil society organizations. They provide a framework for collaboration, sharing knowledge and good practices, and provide financial resources for implementing smart city solutions. The exploration of these initiatives helps us to answer RQ1 and allows us to synthesize cyber security risks in seven dimensions, and it is noted that the projects cover all these multiple areas. The role of these initiatives in providing a comprehensive view of security risks is also noted. Thus, the risks of using emerging technologies are compounded by regulatory difficulties in implementing smart cities and the interaction of humans with smart cities. The infrastructure of a smart city is a critical element. Mitigation measures, as indicated in RQ2, should address this central point of smart city architecture. As cities become more reliant on technology to operate, critical infrastructure becomes an attractive target for cyberattacks. Furthermore, the interconnectivity of devices and systems in smart cities creates a larger attack surface for potential attackers. Several mitigation measures can be implemented, such as risk assessment and management, continuous monitoring, and intrusion detection, among others. The vulnerabilities existing in the security systems of a smart city exist in several forms, such as security breaches in communication networks, failures in monitoring and control systems, outdated systems, and lack of proper authentication, among others [74; 75]. Effectively, the continuous monitoring of security risks is an activity that must be constantly performed to detect and respond to threats in real time. In [PERSON] and [PERSON] [76], the role of security monitoring tools, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to identify anomalies and suspicious activities is highlighted. Artificial intelligence also poses new risks such as autonomous learning models and Deepfake, which refers to the malicious use of deep learning technology to create highly realistic and often misleading fake content. Moreover, security risk management in smart cities is an ongoing process. Good practices in this area are addressed by [PERSON] [77] and [PERSON] [78], by suggesting conducting regular risk assessments, updating security measures according to emerging threats, and participating in collaborative actions with other smart cities to share knowledge and experiences. Privacy is another key issue in smart cities. The large-scale collection of personal information and constant monitoring of individuals' activities can raise legitimate concerns. Smart cities must be transparent about their data collection practices and involve citizens in the decision-making process. This includes providing clear information about the technologies used, the expected benefits, and the associated privacy risks. Data collection is an activity that should be conducted in a transparent and consenting manner, informing citizens of what data are collected, how they are used, and who has access to it. How data are processed and stored is another point that should deserve attention. [PERSON] [79] points out that one way to protect citizens' privacy is to ensure that the data collected are minimized, anonymized, and aggregated wherever possible. This means removing personally identifiable information and grouping data at aggregate levels to avoid identifying specific individuals. The cybersecurity risks identified are also strongly connected with the emergence of data-driven solutions in smart cities.