HELSINKI \u2014 The Nordic Council has emerged as a driving force to deepen cross-border cyber security collaboration between member states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group, which functions as a forum for pan-Nordic cooperation, is positioned to serve as a conduit for discussions between states wanting to explore the development of common cyber defense solutions, and in the long-term a possible joint strategy. Nordic states are moving to elevate cyber-security cooperation against the backdrop of regional tensions over Russia\u2019s war with Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The advent of war triggered a steady increase in the number of cyber-attacks against Nordic industry and military targets since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The military targets have included the defense departments of Denmark and Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strengthening cross-border cyber-security collaboration was one of the significant regional defense issued examined the Nordic Council\u2019s Presidium in December 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norway currently holds the 12-month rotating presidency of the Nordic Council for 2023, having taken over from Finland in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO) group, which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, will play a key role in the development of cross-border Nordic cyber-security collaborative solitions. The initiative is regarded as a good fit for NORDEFCO\u2019s Vision 2025 project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the long term, the military-influenced strategy is to enhance intelligence sharing between countries, giving the Nordic nations a heightened capacity to defend against threats emanating from the cyber domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCybersecurity issues are more relevant than ever. In recent years, the number of serious cyberattacks has grown. Additionally, the war in Ukraine has a direct effect on the Nordic region on many different levels. All these factors serve the need to have a common Nordic cybersecurity strategy,\u201d said Erkki Tuomioja, the Nordic Council\u2019s president for 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Nordic states have explored the potential for a common cybersecurity strategy since 2016. But Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine and the potential resulting destabilization of the High North and Baltic Sea regions drove a sharper focus on collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NORDEFCO\u2019s Vision 2025 initiative has the scope to be expanded to accommodate a broader new mission for a cybersecurity framework that strengthens Nordic resilience against cyberthreats. NORDEFCO already has the capacity to liaise with military cyberthreat units and national cybersecurity agencies across Nordic nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Individually, Nordic states continue to bolster their cyber capacities and make capital investments in new projects. Sweden is investing an additional $130 million in its military budget for 2023-2024 to bolster cyber capabilities. And Finland\u2019s cybersecurity budget during the same period is being doubled to $80 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For its part, Iceland launched a national cybersecurity development strategy in 2022 that extends to 2037. The initiative will include joint exercises with Nordic partners to test defensive and offensive cyberthreat solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCybersecurity isn\u2019t just a security issue. We also need it to fully harness the power of Nordic innovation. We need greater awareness, expertise and regulations covering cybersecurity to enable us to future-proof our society,\u201d said \u00c1slaug Arna Sigurbj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir, Iceland\u2019s minister of higher education, science and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Editor\u2019s note: This article was updated on March 13 and March 27, 2023, with new information from the Nordic Council about the steps taken at a December 2022 meeting.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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