Publications of the Prime Minister’s Office 2024:13
Society must prepare for the emergence of new and disruptive technologies
Finland is seeking to be a leader in boldly implementing emerging and disruptive
technologies in support of ensuring cybersecurity. Large-scale application of the
technologies to be implemented requires such technologies and software to be
designed for security from the outset and regularly serviced for security throughout
their life cycle. This principle of integrated security should be considered when
drafting all national technology statutes and when lobbying the EU.
Standardisation and certification are aspects of new EU cybersecurity legislation.
It is in Finland’s interest to participate actively in developing and deploying
cybersecurity standards and certification systems. It is also important to seize the
business opportunities afforded by this field.
Emerging and disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum
technology, and new mobile network generations will introduce new cybersecurity
threats that have yet to become wholly evident. The combined impacts of these
technologies are also extremely hard to forecast. Addressing these challenges will
call for in-depth and diverse technological competence, coupled with continual
monitoring and assessment of changes taking place in society. For example,
preparations should now be made for the impacts of developing quantum
technology.
Promoting business competitiveness in the cybersecurity sector
International cooperation and funding opportunities available from the EU and
NATO are applied when planning RDI investments in cybersecurity, with special
attention paid to the processes, resources and proactive cooperation that these
opportunities require. Participating in international funding programmes (such as
the NATO innovation initiative DIANA, the EU Horizon Europe and Digital Europe
(DEP) framework programmes, or the European Defence Fund programmes)
improves the profile of Finland as a specialist in high technology and cybersecurity,
improving national and international commercial opportunities for Finnish
businesses. It is important for Finland to actively influence the content of these
programmes at their planning stage. Cooperation and funding opportunities
provided by the European Space Agency (ESA) may also be taken to accommodate
cybersecurity in the rapid development of space technology.
The objective is for Finland to be capable of delivering globally competitive,
growth-driving technological solutions for the cybersecurity sector. The Finnish RDI
environment should encourage and support the development and application of
solutions that strengthen cybersecurity, and the international competitiveness of
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