Cyber Security

A Playbook for Hybrid War in Cyberspace?

With hybrid warfare, nation-states seem to prefer to outsource both kinetic and cyber attacks to non-state proxies in order to disclaim any responsibility. However, Russia’s ongoing military offensive in Ukraine shows that for more sophisticated kinetic operations, regular forces are apparently preferred to militias to avoid collateral damage, among other reasons. The same seems to be true in cyberspace – when stakes are higher, professionals are preferred over amateurs.

Read more
Image for A Playbook for Hybrid War in Cyberspace? Image for A Playbook for Hybrid War in Cyberspace?

Increasing NATO’s Role in Cyber Defence

Estonia is a perfect location for NATO’s cyber education and training. The location of Alliance’s cyber training field in Estonia sends a clear signal that NATO takes seriously its role in defending both against kinetic and cyber attacks alike.

Read more
Image for Increasing NATO’s Role in Cyber Defence Image for Increasing NATO’s Role in Cyber Defence

The West Should Boost Cyber Security Assistance to Its Eastern Partners

It might be a matter of time when more advanced cyber weapons will be used by states. Providing greater support to build-up the civilian and military cyber security/defence capabilities of the Eastern partners is therefore timely and advantageous for the West. Against this background the EU should now come up with a support package for these cyber security aspects that were uncovered by NATO’s package.

Read more
Image for The West Should Boost Cyber Security Assistance to Its Eastern Partners Image for The West Should Boost Cyber Security Assistance to Its Eastern Partners

Cyber Space in Estonia: Greater Security, Greater Challenges

For the last five years, Estonia has been implementing its 2008 -2013 Cyber Security Strategy. In light of the fact that the government expects to endorse a replacement document by the end of this year, it is important at this point to assess how Estonia has performed in its efforts to foster cyber security at home and globally.

Read more
Image for Cyber Space in Estonia: Greater Security, Greater Challenges Image for Cyber Space in Estonia: Greater Security, Greater Challenges

Strategy and Tactics of Cyber Conflict

On 12 August, the ICDS hosted a lecture by Professor Robert Axelrod from the University of Michigan entitled “Strategy and Tactics of Cyber Conflict” and a discussion moderated by Tallinn University of Technology Associate Professor Rain Ottis.

Read more
Image for Strategy and Tactics of Cyber Conflict Image for Strategy and Tactics of Cyber Conflict

The Tallinn Manual as an international event

The era of cyber conflicts could perhaps compared to the days when America had just been discovered and warships, pirates and buccaneers from various countries sailed into the Caribbean Sea. One of the differences with the 16th century is that one of the vessels trying to bring about order in the ‘cyber-sea’ of today is sailing under the Estonian tricolour flag – blue, black and white.

Read more
Image for The Tallinn Manual as an international event Image for The Tallinn Manual as an international event

Cybersecurity in Estonia: An Interview with Emmet Tuohy

The internet’s virtual world is ever more interconnected with the real world. This is the reason that centers for the study of security also focus their attention on the threats coming from cyberspace. The process of digitizing the processes of the public administration (e-governance) is exposed to possible attacks by internet pirates, while at the same time, sharing sensitive information through the internet could jeopardize the defense of national security. This is the reason that has brought ministries of defense all over Europe to search for particular instruments and strategies aimed at preventing foreseeable attacks to military and intelligence information systems.

Read more
Image for Cybersecurity in Estonia: An Interview with Emmet Tuohy Image for Cybersecurity in Estonia: An Interview with Emmet Tuohy