{"id":50937,"date":"2024-03-26T20:54:29","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T20:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2024\/03\/26\/finland-to-host-nato-tech-centers-revamp-cybersecurity-strategy\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:35:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:35:50","slug":"finland-to-host-nato-tech-centers-revamp-cybersecurity-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2024\/03\/26\/finland-to-host-nato-tech-centers-revamp-cybersecurity-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"Finland to host NATO tech centers, revamp cybersecurity strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HELSINKI \u2014 One of NATO\u2019s newest members plans to build and jointly operate two research centers and an accelerator facility for the alliance as part of a program dubbed DIANA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move comes as Finland also seeks to ramp up its defense strategy and capacity to deal with escalating cyberthreats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NATO research centers, which are to focus on new technologies, will be based in the Finnish town of Espoo, while the accelerator unit will be run from a new facility in Oulu, Finland\u2019s leading cyber technology hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Espoo site will collaborate with VTT, Finland\u2019s largest technical research center and the axis for quantum computer development in Finland<\/a>. The location will also test cyber-secure communications in addition to quantum and space technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The test facility in Oulu, which will operate in cooperation with the University of Oulu, will test 6G network technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finnish Defence Minister Antti H\u00e4kk\u00e4nen said the accelerator and test centers will create business opportunities for domestic technology companies as well as help lift Finland\u2019s profile among the 32 other fellow NATO member states. Finland joined NATO<\/a> in April 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFinland\u2019s leading position, especially in the development of new-generation communication technologies and quantum technologies, is likely to attract operators and experts to Finland. Our status as a global frontrunner of dual-use communication technologies will render Finland more attractive to international financiers and strengthen our technological input as a NATO member,\u201d H\u00e4kk\u00e4nen said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NATO launched the DIANA program \u2014 or Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic \u2014 in 2021 with the mission of identifying challenges for the defense sector. A core part of the program\u2019s mission is to find technologically innovative solutions through partnerships with tech firms inside and outside of the defense industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cyberspace switch<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, under a new joint initiative, the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Transport and Communications are tasked with revamping Finland\u2019s national cybersecurity strategy. The initiative aims to provide the government with an operating model better suited to protect critical military and civilian assets and infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bolstering cyber resilience and improving defensive capabilities were among the chief national security priorities of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo\u2019s coalition government that took power after parliamentary elections in June 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The urgency behind updating the national cybersecurity strategy became evident during the third quarter of 2023 when Finnish security and intelligence service SUPO warned of a sharp rise in cyberattacks emanating from Russia. Those attacks reportedly targeted state agencies, the Finnish Defence Forces, and their critical IT networks and infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In February, SUPO issued an alert that Russia was trying to recruit and train migrants seeking political and economic asylum in Finland as spies. The agency also warned that \u201chostile forces\u201d in Russia were behind an increase in cyberespionage activities against Finland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the heightened security threat \u2014 and with Russia allegedly<\/a> bussing thousands of migrants to Finnish crossing points \u2014 Finland closed its 832-mile border with Russia on Feb. 20. The government plans to keep the border closed until April 14 at the earliest.<\/p>\n\n\n\t