New business networks strengthen security of supply and resilience of digital society

The National Emergency Supply Agency in cooperation with its partners is strengthening the security of supply of the Finnish digital society by expanding and reorganising the business networks involved in security of supply efforts in the digital and media sectors.

Key functions and services of society are dependent on data, digital systems and infrastructure. If we find ourselves in a crisis, society also requires a functioning mass communication infrastructure and reliable information, and the media plays a key role in conveying this information.

Going forward, the business networks coordinated by the National Emergency Supply Agency will respond more effectively to changes in the security environment and to any potential threats to security of supply arising from them.

In Finland, security of supply efforts are divided into different sectors, each of which is responsible for monitoring and developing security of supply within its field. Each sector is further divided into cooperation networks, also known as pools, that are formed by businesses, public authorities and organisations critical to security of supply.

In September, the new Digital Society Sector started its operations, along with new pools aimed at bringing together even more businesses than before. They will expand and replace the Digital Pool that has been in operation until now.

Five pools bring together business expertise

The work of the new sector is organised into five business networks, or pools:

• Digital Infrastructure Pool
• Telecommunications Pool
• Cybersecurity Pool
• Software Pool
• Media Pool.

The work of the sector and its pools consists of voluntary preparedness efforts by critical businesses. Through this pool work, the businesses involved develop their own preparedness and that of Finland. Industry associations are also involved in the work.

Following the reform, the new pools are able to develop and carry out measures to prepare for serious disruptions during normal conditions and for emergencies in a more targeted manner than was possible under the previous, broad-based Digital Pool. At the same time, the views of an increasing number of businesses critical to security of supply can now be taken into account in this cooperation.

“In the efforts to strengthen security of supply, it’s important to identify areas for development and launch development projects as a network. This allows us to best take into account our wide-ranging expertise, rapid technological developments, the impact of interdependent trends, and complex supply chains. I hope to see the businesses involved in the new pools actively take part, keep an open mind and have the ability to throw themselves into the cooperation,” says Juha Ilkka, Chief Preparedness Specialist for Digital Security at the National Emergency Supply Agency.

The National Emergency Supply Agency works with its partners to strengthen the reliability and security of our increasingly digitalised society by safeguarding critical infrastructure, information security, data resources and systems, and by focusing on cybersecurity.

As part of the work carried out by the pools, critical businesses network with other businesses in their field and with preparedness professionals. Additionally, they gain access to the situational picture of security of supply that is compiled by the National Emergency Supply Agency to support the development of preparedness, as well as lessons learnt and best practices in preparedness.

New business cooperation networks of the Digital Society Sector

• Digital Infrastructure Pool. The pool includes key ICT service providers responsible for system infrastructure. System infrastructure covers things such as equipment rooms, telecommunications networks, service platforms, management systems and other systems that are significant to the critical functions of society. The pool secretary is Chief of Preparedness Antti Nyqvist (Technology Industries of Finland), and the pool is chaired by Ilona Ylinampa (Fujitsu Finland Oy).
• Telecommunications Pool. The pool includes critical businesses in the telecommunications sector, such as telecommunications operators responsible for the operation of network infrastructure, as well as providers of telecommunications infrastructure services. The pool secretary is Kalle Luukkainen (FICom), and the pool is chaired by Jaakko Wallenius (Elisa Corporation).
• Cybersecurity Pool. The pool includes key cybersecurity businesses whose services and products are used to safeguard the operation of critical infrastructure or which are significant in terms of national expertise. The pool secretary is Chief of Preparedness Kaisa Puusola (Technology Industries of Finland / Finnish Information Security Cluster), and the pool is chaired by Petri Reiman (Insta Advance).
• Software Pool. The pool includes ICT and software businesses whose services and products are used in the development, support and maintenance of software and data resources that are critical to society. The pool secretary is Chief of Preparedness Mervi Koukka (Technology Industries of Finland), and the pool is chaired by Mikko Myllys (Funidata).
• Media Pool. The pool includes media businesses that are critical to the functioning of society. The pool plans and develops measures to ensure the continuity of media operations during widespread disruptions and crises and defends freedom of the press. For example, the pool develops methods for identifying and countering hostile information influence activities. The pool secretary is Head of Preparedness Senni Jyrkiäinen (Finnish Media Federation), and the pool is chaired by Antti Karlqvist (Otava).

The sectors and pools operate as part of the National Emergency Supply Organisation, which is a broad network of partners from the private and public sectors. The National Emergency Supply Organisation includes a total of seven sectors, under which there are around 30 pools, or business networks, operating in different industries. This network of partners includes around 1,500 businesses.

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Find out more about the work of the National Emergency Supply Agency to strengthen digital security: Digital Security 2030