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NATO and Armed Forces set requirements for communication in crisis and war

Cyber security Industrial policy Security and safety Telecoms

Few have missed that total defense issues have risen on the agenda. TechSweden's members and issues appear to be central to total defense. In it, civil defense must have the ability to contribute to military defense, for example in the event of an armed attack.

The Swedish Armed Forces believe that civilian defense needs to increase its overall ability to support military defense and lists five areas of particular importance - electronic communications is one of them. The Swedish Armed Forces consider it important that the enhanced protection is not only physical but also includes cyber security.

NATO membership requires Sweden to improve national resilience and the ability to withstand disruptions in seven areas (Baseline Requirements for Resilience) that need to function to create resilience. One area is civil communications - telecommunications and networks. The requirements have been updated and now include 5G networks, capabilities to restore functions, the ability to prioritize access for authorities during a crisis, and the ability to assess the risks to these systems.

The Minister for Civil Defense Carl-Oskar Bohlin has now initiated a cross-sectoral business council for total defense and crisis preparedness. The council will be a forum at strategic level for the exchange of information and advice on common issues for the business community, employee organizations and the state on total defense and crisis preparedness to strengthen security of supply in Sweden. Representatives from the five sectors of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise have been invited to the Council. TechSverige will be represented by Almega in the sector for service companies.

It is welcome that service companies, which play a major role in the Swedish economy and deliver socially important services, are included in the council. The pandemic in particular showed that a lot of cooperation and interaction is needed when society comes under pressure. TechSverige's members provide a range of services such as fixed and mobile telephony, IT services and IT operations to important authorities and companies, as well as information and cyber security for many actors.

The ability to manage communications and sustain a digitalized society will be tested in a real-life situation. The services of our member companies are crucial to many actors in society. TechSverige will contribute to the Council's work through Almega or in whatever way is most appropriate. It is reasonable that both the Swedish Armed Forces' and NATO's views on the importance of electronic communication and digital services will be reflected in the continued work of the Council. We are ready to contribute.

Fredrik Sand, industrial policy expert, TechSverige