Sweden is set to join the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence as a “contributing participant,” the center said on July 1.
“Sweden joining the Centre as a contributing participant will enhance cyber security cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. Swedish technical experts have already contributed remarkably to the world’s largest live-fire international cyber defence exercise Locked Shields that the Centre organizes,” Col. Artur Suzik, director of the center, said in a statement.
The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence is a NATO-accredited knowledge hub based in Tallinn, Estonia that focuses on interdisciplinary applied research and development. It includes consultations, trainings, and information-sharing among NATO, allies, and partners in cyber defense.
The cooperative nature of the center is open to non-NATO nations.
“Coping with the cyber world that is not hindered by physical borders requires international cooperation and the Centre embodies that,” Mikk Marran, the permanent secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defence, said.
Sweden wants to help contribute to the discussion of international and legal cyber issues. “Through closer cooperation with the Centre, Sweden wishes to contribute to the regional development of cyber defence and international cyber security,” Jan Salestrand, state secretary of the Swedish Ministry of Defence, said.
Sweden’s legislature recently adopted a Swedish Defense Bill that states the country should strengthen its cyber defense capabilities and international cooperation on the subject is vital.
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter on June 23 announced plans to work with the center to help countries develop cyber defense strategies, critical infrastructure protection planning, and cyber defense posture assessments.