News

On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the Hellenic Data Protection Authority and the Athena Research Center proceeded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aiming to promote scientific and research collaboration in areas of mutual interest. The Memorandum was signed at the headquarters of the Authority by Mr. Konstantinos Menoudakos, President of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority and Honorary President of the Council of State, and Professor Yiannis Emiris, Chairman of the Board and General Director of the Athena Research Center, sealing the commitment of both institutions to closer cooperation on issues concerning data protection, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science.

 

Through this MoU, the two organizations lay the foundation for a stable and meaningful collaboration that addresses the ever-growing needs for awareness and technological competence in a rapidly evolving digital environment.

 

The cooperation includes, among others:

Following the signing of the MoU, Mr. Konstantinos Menoudakos, President of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority, stated:

"The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Athena Research Center demonstrates the Authority’s strong commitment to fostering synergies that aim to facilitate its mission and to create a data-protection-friendly environment in our country. Through this new and particularly important collaboration, we seek to strengthen the Authority's ties with the research field on critical issues of data protection and privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science more broadly. At the same time, we promote a spirit of collaboration with the research community, aiming to seek and develop innovative solutions that will effectively address the ever-growing challenges in the field of personal data protection."

 

Professor Yiannis Emiris, Chairman of the Board and General Director of the Athena Research Center, emphasized:

"With the signing of the Memorandum, the Hellenic Data Protection Authority and the Athena Research Center join forces to enhance the scientific training and awareness of researchers and specialized scientists on issues of cybersecurity and privacy protection, in response to contemporary technological and societal challenges. Both institutions have a duty to inform and guide both the Greek State and its citizens on these matters. Especially today, the intensity of digital technology makes it imperative for our institutions to remain alert so that human rights are protected and, more broadly, to ensure the human-centered nature of new technologies."

 

Present at the signing of the Memorandum were also Dr. Manolis Terrovitis, Principal Researcher at the Information Systems Institute of the Athena Research Center, and Dr. Giorgos Giannopoulos, Scientific Associate at the same institute.

 

From the Authority’s side, attendees included Maria Psalla, legal advisor and alternate member; Dr. Vasilis Zorkadis, General Director; Dr. Efrosyni Siougle, Head of the Advisory and Compliance Department; Georgia Panagopoulou, Head of the Audits and Security Department; and Dr. Ilias Athanasiadis, Head of the Independent Communication and Public Relations Department.