Addressing SME Characteristics for Designing Information Security Maturity Models

Part 5: EducationInternational audienceThis paper identifies the effects of small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SME) characteristics on the general design principles for maturity models in the information security domain. The purpose is to guide the research on information security maturity modelling for SMEs that will fit in form and function for their capability assessment and development purposes, and promote organizational learning and development. This study reviews the established frameworks of general design principles for maturity models and projects the design requirements of our envisioned information security maturity model for SMEs. Maturity models have different purposes of uses (descriptive, prescriptive and comparative) and design principles with respect to these purposes of uses. The mapping of SME characteristics and design principles facilitates the development of an information security maturity model that systematically integrates the desired qualities and components addressing SME characteristics and requirements

Scientific Opinion on the update of the list of QPS‐recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA†

EFSA is requested to assess the safety of a broad range of biological agents in the context of notification formarket authorisation as sources of food and feed additives, food enzymes and plant protection products.The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) assessment was developed to provide a harmonised generic pre-assessment to support safety risk assessments performed by EFSA’sscientific Panels. The safety ofunambiguously defined biological agents (at the highest taxonomic unit appropriate for the purpose forwhich an application is intended), and the completeness of the body of knowledge are assessed. Identifiedsafety concerns for a taxonomic unit are, where possible and reasonable in number, reflected as‘qualifications’in connection with a recommendation for a QPS status. The list of QPS recommendedbiological agents was reviewed and updated in the current opinion and therefore becomes the valid list.The 2016 update reviews previously assessed microorganisms including bacteria, yeasts and viruses usedfor plant protection purposes following an Extensive Literature Search strategy. The taxonomic units relatedto the new notifications received since the 2013 QPS opinion, were periodically evaluated for a QPS statusand the results published as Statements of the BIOHAZ Panel.Carnobacterium divergens,Lactobacillusdiolivorans,Microbacterium imperiale,Pasteuria nishizawae,Pediococcus parvulus, Bacillusflexus,Bacillus smithii, Xanthomonas campestrisandCandida cylindraceawere recommended for the QPS list. Alltaxonomic units previously recommended for the 2013 QPS list had their status reconfirmed as well theirqualifications with the exception ofPasteuria nishizawaefor which the qualification was removed. Theexclusion offilamentous fungi and enterococci from the QPS evaluations was reconsidered but monitoringwill be maintained and the status will be re-evaluated in the next QPS Opinion update. Evaluation ofbacteriophages should remain as a case-by-case procedure and should not be considered for QPS statu