Advisory Board for Network Security appointed for its third term of office

On 27 June 2024, the Government appointed the Advisory Board for Network Security for a new term of office. The Advisory Board aims to assess and improve national security in communications networks. The Board’s term of office is from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2027.

The task of the Board is to monitor the development of communications networks and technology and the application practices of network security legislation. Its role is also to support the decision-making of the authorities. In addition, the Board may discuss other cyber security issues identified by the Government.

The Advisory Board will be chaired by Laura Eiro, Director General at the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The Board has representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and Ministry of Finance. The members include the National Cyber Security Director. There are also representatives from the Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, the Defence Forces and the state security networks Erillisverkot Oy. In addition, the telecommunications companies Elisa Corporation, Telia Finland Oyj and DNA Plc as well as the Finnish Federation for Communications and Teleinformatics are represented.

European Union 5G work in the background

The setting up of the Advisory Board responds to the EU’s joint risk assessment on the security of 5G networks carried out during Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU as well as to the EU toolbox for 5G security issued in January 2020. In line with the Network and Information Systems Directive, the toolbox includes recommendations of the Cooperation Group composed of representatives of the EU Member States, the European Commission and the EU Agency for cybersecurity (ENISA) on how to improve 5G security.

The Advisory Board and its tasks are based on the provisions of the Act on Electronic Communications Services that entered into force at the beginning of 2021. They are part of the implementation of the 5G toolbox in Finland.

Inquiries:

Marko Priiki, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 187, [email protected]