A STRONGER COOPERATION 2
2 A stronger cooperation
There are several governmental bodies with a crosssectoral responsibility for cyber security (see Appendix
A). It is important to ensure a good cooperation among
these actors. One key collaborative hub is the Joint Cyber
Coordination Centre (Felles cyberkoordineringssenter
– FCKS), which comprises representatives from NSM,
the Norwegian Intelligence Service, the Norwegian
Police Security Service (PST) and the National Criminal
Investigation Service (Kripos). The purpose of FCKS is
to help improve the national capability to detect and
withstand serious cyber attacks, provide strategic analysis
and maintain a comprehensive threat and risk assessment
for cyberspace.
The authorities cannot achieve good cyber security on their
own. The business community has the requisite skills and
resources and functions as a driving force for digitalisation
and innovation. As such, it has a key role to play in the
solution. In order to protect the digital society, private
individuals, companies, sectors and nations must all look
beyond the boundaries of their own interests. All companies
have a responsibility to ensure their own cyber security,
but the dependency of society on digital solutions makes it
essential to establish stronger cooperations and partnerships
both at international level and in all areas of society.
2.1 Public-private partnership
Digital services and products are often developed by private
companies or research and development communities.
A substantial part of Norway’s critical digital infrastructure is
owned and operated by private companies. Consequently,
important decisions related to the development of – and
security in – cyberspace are made by commercial, non-state
actors, i.e. outside the conventional intergovernmental
arenas. As a result, the role of the authorities in the
development of cyberspace is limited, which in turn calls
for an extensive public-private partnership.
Public and private companies have different capacities,
knowledge and skills, which supplement one another. The
authorities have an important role as legislator, facilitator
and supervisory body; law enforcement have designated
powers to investigate and prosecute cyber crime. Moreover,
the authorities also has the duty to collect foreign and
domestic intelligence, collaboration within international
bodies and share information about potential threats.
Increased collaboration inevitably leads to better
situational awareness and better decisions, as well as
allowing greater access to resources. In order to tackle
ever-changing security challenges, cooperations should be
intensified and developed even further.
Guiding principles:
•• The authorities and the business community work
together to identify and discuss cyber security
challenges, and to exchange experience about them.
•• This cooperation should carry obligations for both
parties and be based on transparency, trust and
mutuality.
•• The authorities contribute to establishing a business
community where cyber security services are in
demand, developed and provided.
•• When building up national capacity in cyber security, is
should be facilitated for inclusion of capabilities from
the business community.
2.2 Civilian-military collaboration
The defence sector is dependent on civilian digital
infrastructures and services. As a result, cyber security
challenges in the civilian sector are also of significance to
Norway’s ability to handle security-political crises and to
carry out military operations. In a worst-case scenario,
cyber attacks on civilian infrastructures may challenge
Norway’s ability to safeguard national security.
The total defence concept encompasses both military
support for civilian society and civilian support for the
Armed Forces. The contribution of the Armed Forces to
public security also translates into improved ability to
safeguard state security, given that a well-functioning
civilian society and robust public security form an
important foundation for well-functioning military defence.
In order to meet common cyber security challenges,
military and civilian actors must work more closely
together. This includes conducting exercises in how to
handle crisis situations, development of joint competence,
mutual incident notification, and exchanging information
about threats and vulnerabilities.
National Cyber Security Strategy for Norway | 9
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