The Armed Forces invest heavily in digital security

opinions

Cyber ​​defense will protect the ICT systems of the armed forces from digital threats from military and civilian actors

The NRK and Armed Forces Forum noted cuts in the cyber defense budget. In addition, questions arise about how to make such cuts now that Russia has attacked Ukraine. Separately, the numbers are correct, Cyber ​​Defense will receive an overall reduction in its operating budget of approximately NOK 200 million in 2022. The cuts were necessary to balance the budget.

However, I would like to highlight a significant strengthening of our defense against cyber threats and our ability to operate in the cyber domain. This enhancement has occurred over many years and will continue into the future.

What is cyber defense?

I’ve experienced that some people think cyber defense is something different than it actually is. “Cyber ​​defense will protect the armed forces’ information and communication technology systems from digital threats from both military and civilian actors,” NRK reports. Thus, cyber defense is the ICT operations division of the armed forces, which is also responsible for protecting the networks of the armed forces.

Cyber ​​defense is not our national defense against cyber threats against, for example, Parliament, the health services and the police to name a few.

On the other hand, the National Security Agency (NSM) has the overall task of coordinating and contributing to securing the nation of Norway against threats in the digital space. So the NSM created the National Cyber ​​Security Center, where civilian businesses and a number of agencies and public authorities collaborate on security in the digital space.

In addition, coordination of information and exchange of experience between the NSM, the Armed Forces, the Police Security Service (PST) and Krepos are carried out in a Joint Electronic Coordination Center (FCKS). Cyber ​​defense also meets in FCKS when needed.

FCKS players help build a common picture of the situation to protect us all from digital threats.

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intelligence

In the armed forces, the intelligence service is primarily our national resource for detecting external threats against Norway. The intelligence service has gained a lot of capacity in recent years and this huge investment continues. It is the head of the intelligence service who bears full responsibility for the threats coming from abroad. The job of the head of the intelligence service is also to find, track and respond to digital threats.

It is the intelligence service of the armed forces that will have the capacity for offensive cyber operations, if possible.

The armed forces invest heavily in what we call the cyber domain. In the next few years, billions of kroner will be invested in new digital infrastructure in the armed forces. These investments will contribute to good cooperation through the exchange of information and secure communication between our tactical departments.

In addition, the communications infrastructure of the Armed Forces, that is, our digital backbone, will be strengthened. And the armed forces should invest heavily in secure data storage. The sum of all these investments amounts to 15 billion NOK.

In this context, the claim that the armed forces are reducing cyber defense efforts is a bit odd.

One of many players

The Armed Forces of Norway and Norway are largely preparing themselves to be able to confront threats in the digital space. Articles in the NRK and Armed Forces Forum may give a different impression, although it is true that the operational budget of the Armed Forces Cyber, a separate department in the armed forces, will be reduced by as much as NOK 200 million for the current year. However, this does not mean that the armed forces do not focus on security against cyber threats.

On the contrary, several billion kroner will be invested in a better digital infrastructure in the coming time.

Good cooperation between sectors and agencies is an important prerequisite for facing future digital threats, because the security of the state and the security of society are inextricably linked. Cyber ​​defense is just one of the many actors that contribute to improving digital security.

It is the sum of all the efforts that will secure us all.

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