Nordics tackle cyber crime from the top

Nordic companies and governments are placing heavy emphasis on cyber security in their respective strategies, in line with a rising number of threats.

As both consumers and businesses are moving online, along with an increase in connected devices, cyber criminals are being given a wider sphere in which to operate – a fact that has alerted Nordic countries.

Cyber security now plays an integral role in politics when it comes to strategy and decision-making in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, says Finland’s Aalto University’s professor in cyber security, Jarno Limnéll.

Security firm FireEye asserted that cyber threats have become more and more visible throughout the Nordic countries, with the largest share of malware alerts and advanced persistent threats (APTs) seen in Norway at 47%. Denmark was shown to be at 36%, Sweden at 14%, and neighbouring Finland at 3%.

FireEye also emphasised the rise in state-sponsored threat actors, as well as cyber crime looking to target Nordic industries and governments.

Limnéll has noticed the trend. He said:

“It is military espionage, but first of all it’s targeted at the political decision-making system and the Nordic innovation industry, such as technology, healthcare, etc. Cyber espionage is the biggest challenge facing today’s innovative Nordic societies.”

SMEs in the UK also need to do all they can to protect their systems and data. The first step would be for them to look at their I.T. security recruitment policy and ask themselves if they are really doing enough.