FISC association is run by its board of directors. Its operations are led by Executive Director Mika Susi. FISC also uses a number of different task groups in coordinating parts of its operations.
These task groups operate in parts by customer-oriented and in parts networking basis. On the 2020 agenda are:
• Growth and internationalisation
• Big companies
• Defence and security
• Industrial internet and IoT
• International trusteeship (EU matters)
• Corporate legislation
In 2020 there are seven task groups that all of the member companies can freely take part in.
“We represent the whole cyber security industry in Finland as well as operators of all sizes. In essence we are a livelihood political trusteeship association and offer everyone a chance to influence matters that are important to the industry”, Mika Susi says.
“We want our industry to appear strongly in the social discussion. In addition we offer excellent networks and opportunities to participate in mutual undertakings”.
The operative principles of FISC association are independence, making things happen together, initiation and the aim of Finnish success. The responsibility and openness of the trusteeship are maintained by following the lines of competition legislation:
• Expressing goals clearly and openly
• Unbiased practises towards members
• Taking different points of view into account as well as preparing statements with good care
• Creating open and constructive cooperation
• Abstaining from gifts and perks in favor of neutralizing the effects of decision making
• Abstaining from taking part in member company boards, their work and other similar tasks in favor of guaranteeing equality
“To us a responsible trusteeship, openness and reliability are core values”, Susi emphasazises.
Netox joined FISC in 2017 as a part of its goal of advancing the continuity of its customers’ digital business. This requires a broad know-how of technologies and software as well as operating processes and practices. In the broad view of cyber security the general safety situation, behavioral patterns and characteristics of different businesses have en effect as well. Controlling all of this demands cooperation and open discussion.
“As a matter of current interest cyber safety influences everything “, Netox’ Chairman of the board Niko Candelin points out.
“For example in the field of IT and software services current situation stands out as a new direction. At Netox we wish to advance the development and cyber know-how.”
International cooperation and research projects
In 2013 the first national cyber safety strategy was created in Finland which resulted in the formation of DIMECC Cyber Trust program. In 2015 Netox joined it as well. The goal of the program was to advance the cyber know-how and cyber understanding of its memebering operators for which a need was recognized in the program’s strategy. This undertaking concluded in 2017, was one of the biggest cyber safety associated research projects on EU level and according to Program Director Markku Korkiakoski, it ended up being very successful.
“DIMECC Cyber Trust aimed to create a foundation for international cooperation and in my opinion succeeded with flying colors.”
The cooperation models that came into existence through the undertaking have advanced the creation of a continuum of international projects.
“Through DIMECC a cyber security oriented cooperation was formed between Finland and the United States as we became a part of a research center founded by the National Science Foundation. This cooperation still continues”, Korkiakoski adds.
In November 2018 Netox was one of the first to join Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace initiate to develop and maintain mutual cyber dimension game rules. The initiate was published by the President of France Emmanuel Macron at the UNESCO Internet Governance Forum. The initiate has already been joined by 78 nations and over one thousand different societies, organizations and private sector representatives.
Netox is currently part of many national and international cyber security projects.
For example:
– The ITEA-3 program’s CyberFactory#1 project which includes 28 operators from seven different countries (Finland, Germany, France, Spain, Canada, Portugal, Turkey) focusing on the challenges of factories of the fututre and industrial environments (Industry 4.0).
– Building data ecosystem and a smart platform KEKO in which seven leading companies of their fields, KONE, Nokia, YIT, Caverion, Halton, Netox and VTT, have in cooperation set out to create the world’s leading real estate data ecosystem and platform that other operators can join in.
“Through cooperative projects we’ll manage to open a better view into the future, especially into the development of the industry and technology. Cyber security is a broad field and easier handled through a cooperative network”, Korkiakoski ponders.
Importance of information security during abnormal times
These abnormal times have led to some challenges also in the field of cyber security. There has been a significant rise in the numbers of cyber criminals, data thefts, attacks and scams. The role of a secure Finland in a more and more digital future society has often become a talking point.
“The importance of security will surely get accentuated in each of our lives these days”, Korkiakoski evaluates.
“Digitality is already a certain norm and has a great significance in today’s society. The foundation of a functioning digital environment is cyber security. It stems from cooperation and know-how.”
The importance of securing day to day life during current abnormal circumstances with fluent data security methods are acknowledged also at FISC.
“A secure Finland is based on bold and determined cooperation. This is something our industry has in this situation already demonstrated in a fine manner”, Susi evaluates.
International marketing for increasing export
This year Business Finland and FISC gathered the Finnish cyber security companies to advance the field’s export and internationality.
“The Finnish cyber security know-how represents the international top quality. Lately cyber security as well as the whole cyber industry has raised its profile strongly – also in Finland”, Korkiakoski states.
“This can be seen especially in the contents of new project opportunities and social discussion.”
However as the abnormal and difficult circumstances create a number of different problems to be solved it is necessary to gaze into the future. In the increasingly digitalizing societies the significance of security, continuity and trust grow, as many industries take a giant forced leap towards change.
“Solving day to day problems obviously consumes energy at the moment but we have to aim into the future together. To be able to guide Finland back to the tracks of growth a better recognition of the trade and industry political role of cyber security field is absolutely essential”, Susi ponders.
“In addition the openness of our existing cooperation model should be further developed. Cooperation between different public and private operators is crucial as we build the future of digital services”, Korkiakoski establishes.
FISC strives to offer its membering companies a wide range of different guindace services and other help by utilizing partner networks, cooperating with officials and actively sharing information.
Finnish Information Security Cluster
Dimecc Cybertrust loppuraportti
