Cyber diplomacy specialists come together in Helsinki  

Today, all critical sectors of society are strongly dependent on digital services. The increasing geopolitical tensions have brought up significant threats related to cyber attacks. National and international actors in addition to terrorist organisations, dictatures and military groups alike are all able to efficiently utilise digital channels for their own purposes. Major disruptions can be achieved with hybrid warfare, both via information warfare and through denial-of-service attacks.  

There are many regulations regarding armed conflicts, but international regulations do not yet cover cyber warfare. Due to this, it is vital to first assess and then further develop international structures and practices that could help prevent cyber threats more effectively. Furthermore, international actors operating in peace mediation should actively seek ways to extend ceasefire agreements to cover cyber security and distribution of disinformation.  

 
The panel discussion strives to solve challenges related to cyber conflicts 

 
The Cyber conflict resolution approaches panel to be held in connection to the Cyber Security Nordic event in Messukeskus will focus on the key challenges of global and regional cyber security, the best practices for resolving cyber conflicts as well as the role of the private sector in preventing risks. To bring forth diverse perspectives, the panel of experts coming together to discuss these topics represent both the private and public sector and different geopolitical areas. 

Panelists:  

JANNE TAALAS, Chief Executive Officer, CMI – MarttiAhtisaari Peace Foundation 

CMI – MarttiAhtisaari Peace Foundation specialises in conflict resolution. The foundation’s CEO, JanneTaalas, is one of the two panel chairs. Taalas has previously worked as the Finnish Cyber Ambassador and had an extensive career as a diplomat. He also has a doctoral degree in politics from the University of Oxford.  

ENEKEN TIKK, Executive Producer, Cyber Policy Institute 

The other panel chair, Doctor of Law EnekenTikk, is an expert of national legislation, cyber politics and international cyber diplomacy. In her role, she advises governments and other decision-making bodies in international peace and security matters related to the digital world. 

ABDUL-HAKEEM AJIJOLA, Chair of the African Union Cyber Security Expert Group (AUCSEG) 

Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola is one of the key influencers in the field of cyber security in the African continent. He is the Chair of the African Union Cyber Security Expert Group and also holds many positions of trust related to cyber diplomacy. 

WIKTOR STANIECKI, Deputy Head of Division, Security and Defence Policy Division, European External Action Service (EEAS) 

WiktorStaniecki, Head of Cyber Sector of the European External Action Service – the body managing EU’s diplomatic relationships – has an impressive career in the field of cyber security and has both held positions in various EU bodies and worked as a consultant.  

 PAOLO PALUMBO, Vice President, Tactical Defense Unit, WithSecure  

Paolo Palumbo’s expertise includes analysing the trends in the operational environment linked to cyber security as well as their social contextualisation and the prediction and resolution of threats. 

 JARMO SAREVA, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs 

Prior to his appointment as the Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, JarmoSareva served as the first Ambassador for Innovation at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Sareva has made an extensive career as a diplomat in addition to holding various positions at the UN. 

The panel is organised by CMI – MarttiAhtisaari Peace Foundation in cooperation with the Cyber Watch Finland and theCyber Policy Institute.CMI – MarttiAhtisaari Peace Foundation is an independent Finnish organisation that works to prevent and resolve conflicts through dialogue and mediation. Founded in 2000 by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of Finland MarttiAhtisaari, it has since grown to be a leader in the field of international peacemaking. 

The Cyber Security Nordic programme is on  www.cybersecuritynordic.com 

Cyber Security Nordic is organized at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on behalf of the Finnish Information Security Cluster (FISC ry). The strategic partners of the event are Accenture Security, F-Secure, Huawei, Microsoft and Trend Micro. Cyber Security Nordic will now be organized for the fourth time at Messukeskus on 12-13 May 2022. In 2021, the event was arranged as an online event. 
 

More information: 
Communications Manager, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre,Anu-Eveliina Mattila,  
tel: +358 50 5556184, anu-eveliina.mattila@messukeskus.com, www.cybersecuritynordic.com #cybersecuritynordic2022 

 
Photos from the previous event http://mediabank.messukeskus.com