Cyber Security Initiatives in Iceland

One of the biggest concerns in the 21st century is cyber fraud and privacy breaches. Cyber-attacks, including serious offences such as bank fraud and the leaking of private documents, have been issues that have stumped many. They can plant a virus in your system, hack your computer to gain access to your personal information, and literally any other way that allows attackers to digitally track you.

The fact that not everyone is a cybersecurity expert and it sometimes takes days to even discover that there has been an intrusion (usually when it's already too late) adds to the horror. However, to survive in today’s world, it is not possible to simply cover all digital tracks and live in a cave. In these circumstances, cyber security is the only answer.

What is Cyber Security?

Computer security, cybersecurity or information technology security is the process of protecting computer systems and networks from data theft or damage to their hardware, software or electronic data, as well as from interruption or misdirection of the services they provide. Due to the increase in online shopping and remote working during the global lockdown caused by the spread of the COVID-19 virus, digital activity has increased significantly around the world. This in turn has allowed cyber attackers to expand their network further and further into the internet. The demand for cyber security experts to deal with this threat has increased significantly as all major companies with a net worth of trillions of dollars are forced to switch to remote working and operate entirely over the internet.

Cyber Security in Iceland

In June 2013, a special task force was formed by the Ministry of the Interior to deal specifically with the cyber security strategy in Iceland. The main task of this task force was to formulate the government’s strategy for cyber security in Iceland and the protection of the IT infrastructure elements that are important for the country’s national security, i.e. the IT systems of the most important institutions in Icelandic society. Most of these systems are in turn connected in one way or another to other IT systems via the Internet, making it a global network that can lead to serious national and international consequences in the event of a breach.

The formation of the special task force has also been followed by several meetings by the authorities to discuss the major issues threatening cyber security in Iceland. As a whole, this situation has created an important opportunity for technological progress and made Iceland’s IT environment more secure and competitive on the global stage. As the old proverb goes, a stitch in time saves nine! Giving priority to security right from the initial planning stage has enabled expensive situations to be avoided later on. 

Integrating security considerations in the initial plan facilitates the designing of reliable computer systems, just how strong foundations, even if they take long to be made, makes it possible to build a skyscraper. Making cyber security in Iceland a part of the curriculum of all computer-related studies at all levels of the educational system is the next step to ensuring the development of stronger cyber security systems in Iceland. It would also ensure that the youth of the country learns an extremely demanding skill which would help them secure jobs in the country and abroad.

In today’s data-driven world, cyberattacks are the most common and dangerous crimes there are. The only solution to combat this is to improve ourselves on both a personal and administrative level.

For any assistance in Iceland, contact Swapp Agency.