Working group to explore ways to intensify cooperation between authorities in cyber security incidents

On 28 January 2022, the Ministry of Transport and Communications appointed a working group to identify needs to amend the legislation on cooperation between the key authorities in cyber security incidents and to support the legislative drafting.

The task of the group is to examine and assess what kind of regulation is needed to ensure that cooperation between the key authorities be as effective as possible in large-scale cyber security incidents critical to the functioning of society. The work was inspired by the Act on Cooperation between the Police, Customs and the Border Guard. In the course of the work, legislative needs will be examined in relation to cyber security incidents in areas such as assistance from other authorities, regulations on disclosure of information, rights of use to information and management responsibility. The aim is to focus on legislative needs that can still be promoted during this parliamentary term.

"Enhancing cooperation between the authorities and improving the shared situational picture calls for both stronger legislation and sufficient resources. We need clear rules to be able to work efficiently and make use of all our strengths," says Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.

In addition to the representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the working group members include the National Cyber Security Director and representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. The working group will consult key operators in the security sector, such as the National Cyber Security Centre, the police, the Defence Forces, and the authorities within the scope of the Network and Information Systems Directive. The term of the working group will end on 31 March 2023.

The work is based on policy guidelines for improving the information security and data protection of the critical sectors

The legislative project is one of the key measures of the Government resolution adopted in summer 2021 on improving information security and data protection in critical sectors of society. In the same context, a cyber security development programme was adopted.

The stakeholders will prepare and coordinate the key projects in close cooperation.

Inquiries:

Nina Hyvärinen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 50 430 9357, [email protected]

Mari Starck, Director of Unit, tel. +358 50 478 1164, [email protected]