Capacity of authorities to ensure national cyber security to be assessed and developed

NordenBladet — Capacity of authorities to ensure national cyber security to be assessed and developed The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence have set up a project to assess the capacity of authorities to ensure national cyber security, prevent cyber crime, implement cyber defence and respond to rapidly evolving situations that threaten the cyber security of society. “The digital transformation of society is happening fast and we are increasingly dependent on well-functioning information networks and systems. Cyber threats have increased and become more diverse. They also blur the distinction between internal and external security on the one hand and, on the other, between civilian and military threats. National and international threat environments are constantly evolving, and we as authorities must keep up,” says Petri Knape, Director of the National Security Unit at the Ministry of the Interior. Identifying key development needs in the authorities’ operating conditionsThe project will assess the current operating conditions of the authorities in serious situations that endanger national cyber security and identify the key development needs. If necessary, a proposal will be drawn up for a new operating model that, in addition to correctly timed and high-level decision-making, will enable effective proactive action and response as well as possible counter-measures.The exchange of information and cooperation between the authorities will also be assessed. When necessary, the project group will issue proposals for legislative amendments.Recent developments have shown that the risks of illegal intelligence activity  and cyber interference targeting Finland have grown. Cyber threats posing a danger to national security may stem from either governmental or non-governmental activities and manifest themselves as cyber espionage, serious cyber incidents and cyber attacks against critical infrastructure or their preparation. In addition, cyber crime is a growing threat for the key functions of society.Government Resolution on the Cyber Security Development ProgrammeThis project is based on the Government Resolution on the Cyber Security Development Programme issued on 10 June 2021 and the Government reports on foreign and security policy, internal security and defence policy. The project’s measures will be coordinated with other cyber security development projects and the preparation of the Security Strategy for Society.The project will be carried out as part of official duties. To carry out the assessment, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence set up a project group which will be active from 1 March 2022 to 31 January 2023.