News Archive - Page 10 of 16 - Hybrid CoE - The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats

H.E. Mr António Manuel Coelho Da Costa Moura, Ambassador of Portugal, visited Hybrid CoE to hand over the Letter of Notification to Director Teija Tiilikainen.

December 17, 2019

Portugal becomes a participating state of the Hybrid CoE

H.E. Mr António Manuel Coelho Da Costa Moura, Ambassador of Portugal, visited Hybrid CoE to hand over the Letter of Notification to Director Teija Tiilikainen, officially making Portugal the 27th participating state of the Centre.

“We are delighted to have Portugal among the participating states. I’m sure that Portuguese practitioners and experts have a lot to offer our networks of practitioners. Countering hybrid threats is based on international cooperation, and so the broader our networks, the more effective this becomes,” said Tiilikainen.

“Portugal is pleased to join Hybrid CoE and is committed to deepening our cooperation with partners in this field. The process of becoming a member of Hybrid CoE has shaped our national coordination in addressing hybrid threats. We have opted for a whole-of-government approach, which reflects our commitment to a civil-military approach to meeting this challenge, and takes into account both its internal and external dimensions,” said Ambassador Costa Moura.

Besides Portugal, the participants of the Centre of Excellence include Austria, Canada, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Centre cooperates closely with the EU and NATO.

December 13, 2019

Hybrid Warfare – Orchestrating the Technology Revolution

Dr. Johann Schmid, Director COI Strategy & Defense, contributed to STRATPOL: NATO at 70: Outline of the Alliance Today and Tomorrow, Special Edition of Panorama of Global Security Environment 2019.

The article focuses on the linkage between hybrid warfare and new technologies and identifies the need to orchestrate the technology revolution. It is connected to Hybrid COE’s Community of Interest Strategy and Defence (COI S&D) project on “Hybrid Warfare Future and Technologies” (HYFUTEC).

Key thesis and arguments advanced:

Technological trends suggest that the portfolio of hybrid hazards will rapidly expand. It is evident that political, civilian and military decision makers need to become more knowledgeable of the disruptive potential of new technological trends, which may offer new options of violence, as well as for the use of force in a hybrid warfare/conflict context.

In the face of these developments, hybrid warfare becomes not only the war of choice for the small and poor. It may also become particularly attractive for larger powers, as they can pursue their political interests with little risk.

Today the nation’s power – militarily as economically – rests on data. Via data and communication networks, computers and automation come together in a new way with remotely connected robotics. In a world of constant connectivity, data is the new oil. And networks are the new oil rigs.
Hybrid warfare happens in the real and in the virtual world. The real-world segment is in principal well observed and understood, while the virtual segment operates stealthy in the invisible world of computers and networks until showing effects in the real world, often to the surprise of an unprepared target.

Systems of systems thinking is key as hybrid actors fuse military and non-military means. We can expect hybrid warriors to develop models of their perceived targets and to use them to make an attack.

NATO and Europe are at a crossroads. Hybrid warfare is threatening member nations and NATO´s and the EU`s neighbourhood. Countering hybrid warfare requires the ability to protect vulnerable interfaces and to operate in their grey areas by adopting a truly comprehensive approach.
The given technological revolution must be orchestrated, for technical and operational reasons, but also with view to the fundamental interests and values represented by NATO and EU member nations. Three dimensions need to be tackled.

1.        Conceptually, strategy, concepts and concrete initiatives need to enable to successfully resisting and fighting hybrid aggression, as new
technologies are fundamentally challenging politics and society, economy and production, prosperity and democracy, security and defence.
2.        Technologically, the possibilities of the technological revolution need to be exploited, their misuse limited.
3.        Organisationally, as the technology revolution unfolds, there is reason for urgency in orchestrating and accelerating innovation in Europe.

Both, hybrid warfare and disruptive technology constitute serious challenges to NATO, the EU and member states. Meeting these calls for a determined, holistic and collaborative approach. Open, democratic societies that lack strategic vigilance are particularly vulnerable to hybrid methods of warfare.

The full article can be downloaded here (pdf).

December 12, 2019

Hybrid Warfare and New Technologies workshop in Stockholm

Hybrid CoE and its Community of Interest Strategy and Defence (COI S&D), in collaboration with StratByrd Consulting, organized the workshop: Most relevant Trends & Principal Implications on 4-5 December 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden. The event is part of the COI S&D “New technologies” work strand Hybrid Warfare: Future & Technology (HYFUTEC).

Participants were experts from the industry, military and security sector, ministries and academia. The Stockholm workshop began with an overview on maneuvering hybrid contingencies and critical infrastructure with emphasis on a comprehensive approach to the hybrid security environment. The role of military was presented as a deterrent, supporting and enabling actor to the civilian sectors.

The Stockholm HYFUTEC workshop followed-up the Berlin HYFUTEC workshop that kicked-off the Future & Technology: Horizon Scan on “Key Technology Trends”. In Stockholm experts focused on most relevant technology trends such as 5G and space, artificial intelligence; autonomous systems; cyber and electronic warfare; extended reality; quantum and ubiquitous sensors. Particular attention was given to principal implications regarding hybrid challenges at the political, strategic, and operational level to include challenges regarding the protection of critical infrastructures. Ways to accelerating innovation and to utilize the possibilities of modelling and simulation were highlighted.

Mr. Gergely Németh, Hungarian Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy, handed over the Letter of Notification to Hybrid CoE's Director Teija Tiilikainen.

December 10, 2019

Hungary joins Hybrid CoE

This afternoon Mr. Gergely Németh, Hungarian Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy, visited Hybrid CoE to hand over the Letter of Notification to Director Teija Tiilikainen, officially making Hungary the 26th member state of the Centre.

“The Hungarian decision to join the Centre adds to the cooperation in the field of countering hybrid threats. We are looking forward to having Hungary contribute to our activities,” said Director Tiilikainen.

“It is important that European nations are devoting increasing attention and resources to endeavour ways of multinational cooperation with regards to countering hybrid threats. In our assessment, the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki is an essential element in the European toolbox as it serves as a network for information sharing as well as best practices and it provide a central platform for concerted efforts in the emerging security domains. Therefore, Hungary is glad to be able to join this community through our accession to the Hybrid CoE,” told Mr. Németh.

Besides Hungary, the participants of the Centre of Excellence include Austria, Canada, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Centre cooperates closely with the EU and NATO.

Director Tiilikainen signing the letter of notification.

November 26, 2019

Luxembourg joins Hybrid CoE

Director Teija Tiilikainen signed a notification today regarding Luxembourg’s participation in the Memorandum of Understanding of Hybrid CoE, officially making Luxembourg the 25^th member state of the Centre.

“It’s great to see Luxembourg becoming a part of our international community for countering hybrid threats. EU-NATO cooperation on countering hybrid threats is one of the core functions of the Centre. The membership of a country which is part of both institutions strengthens that particular pillar of our activities,” said Director Tiilikainen.

”We are proud to join Hybrid CoE’s community and combine our efforts to combat the increasingly complex hybrid threats. I’m convinced that these kinds of initiatives and partnerships are necessary to strengthen the resilience of our societies,” affirmed Mr Luc Feller, High Commissioner of National Protection.

Besides Luxembourg, the participants of the Centre of Excellence include Austria, Canada, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Centre cooperates closely with the EU and NATO.

November 22, 2019

New publications from COI VR

Hybrid CoE’s Community of Interest on Vulnerabilities and Resilience (COI VR) presented the results of their 2019 workstrands in Brussels on 22 November. The event gathered together some 60 participants representing participating states’ permanent delegations, the EU and NATO, in addition to research institutions and state actors. The following publications were handed out during the event:

A Working Paper entitled HANDBOOK ON MARITIME HYBRID THREATS – 10 scenarios and legal scans. The handbook presents a taxonomy of maritime hybrid threats, complementing each category with a legal assessment.
A Working Paper on Hybrid Threats and Vulnerabilities of Modern Critical Infrastructure – Weapons of Mass Disturbance? by Jukka Savolainen.
EU-NATO cooperation in civil protection/Health-related scenario A report based on a workshop on EU-NATO cooperation in civil protection, which was organized in cooperation with the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in February 2019. The workshop took stock of EU and NATO requirements and methods for civil protection by testing them in a tabletop exercise dealing with a medical-based scenario.
Hybrid scenarios in the Baltic Sea A report based on a workshop organized jointly with the maritime and seaport safety and security project platform ResQU2* and its lead partner the University of Turku, which was held in the Turku Archipelago, Finland in May 2019.
Hybrid threats and harbour protection A report based on a workshop on Hybrid Threats and Harbour Protection, which Hybrid CoE’s COI VR organized in cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the ResQU2* platform in October 2019.

The event concluded the second year of operation for COI VR. The team will pursue its work in accordance with the Centre’s objectives during the upcoming year by continuing ongoing projects and embarking upon new ones.

For further information, please contact Director of COI VR Jukka Savolainen: jukka.savolainen@hybridcoe.fi.

*The ResQU2 platform is funded by the EU’s Interreg programme and led by the University of Turku.

November 8, 2019

Cyber Power in Hybrid Warfare Symposium emphasized cooperation and common situational awareness

Hybrid CoE’s Community of Interest in Strategy & Defence (COI S&D) organized its first “Cyber Power in Hybrid Warfare Symposium” in Helsinki on 6-8 November 2019. The Symposium gathered together representatives from 23 EU and NATO member states, security and defence experts from relevant ministries and governmental agencies, as well as partners from the private sector and EU and NATO institutions.

The Symposium examined cyber power and the cyber domain in the context of hybrid warfare/conflict. Particular attention was paid to possible gaps in the interface between hybrid warfare/conflict and the cyber domain. A summary report on the event will be published later this year.

The main takeaways from the Symposium were:

The EU and NATO have established a good basis for countering cyber and hybrid threats through developing policies, establishing institutions and developing capabilities. However, NATO and the EU are only as strong as their member states.
Comprehensive, whole-of-society cooperation is needed to meet the challenge posed by hybrid threats within the cyber domain. This entails cooperation between public-private, civil-military, authorities and civil society.
Situational awareness is a challenge. Even partners do not necessarily share the same situational awareness picture and understanding of the threat.
Cyber has become a part of collective security and should be addressed by international rules and regulations accordingly.
Protection in the cyber domain is as important as on land, sea and air.
New technologies have the capacity to shape public opinion to the extent that it has a political influence. This approach is used both by non-state actors and states.
Cyber as a man-made domain is still new and hence we need more experience in relation to it, and a better understanding of how to secure it more effectively.

The Symposium was part of the “EU Combined Cyber and Hybrid Week” held in Helsinki under the auspices of the Finnish EU Presidency. The week created synergies by combining three independent events – the Symposium itself, the EDA’s Project Team Cyber Meeting and the EDA’s Cyber Ranges Demo Event.

For further information, please contact Dr. Josef Schröfl, Deputy Director, COI S&D, Hybrid CoE, josef.schrofl@hybridcoe.fi.

November 5, 2019

Information expert pool meets in Helsinki

Hybrid CoE’s Research and Analysis function arranged a two-day expert pool meeting on information in Hanasaari, 4-5 November. We were joined by ten academic experts from our recently established academic expert pool (AEP), to discuss trends in information, and information in the era of hybrid threats. We were also joined by 13 practitioners from 4 participating countries and NATO. The second day of the meeting was dedicated to public panel with approximately 40 participants from Finnish ministries and participating states’ embassies in Helsinki.

The trends session was built around the written contributions in which the experts mapped the trends related to information in their own fields. The discussions were enthusiastic and wide-ranging. The experts took a broad approach to information, and their debates touched upon information’s role in society as part of social interaction, public diplomacy, strategic communications, security and intelligence services, economy, and climate change.

The product/outcome of this meeting will be a trend report. Some of the major trends that were discussed included the increasing role of social media platforms in information consumption, the way in which non-state actors are used, how economic changes affect information, and the new information technology.

Director Teija Tiilikainen addressing the conference audience. Photo: Viivi Myllylä / Finnish Prime Minister's Office

October 23, 2019

Hybrid Threats – Hybrid Response Conference focused on ways to combat hybrid threats

The ‘Hybrid Threats – Hybrid Response in Modern Security Environment’ conference was hosted in Helsinki on 23 October 2019 by Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE). What makes a threat hybrid? How could we strengthen democracy in order to respond to threats against our political processes? What kind of risk will the new technologies pose to the operation of the critical infrastructure?

The conference gathered more than 150 participants from 38 countries. The event was targeted at senior policy practitioners working with hybrid issues in their national administrations in EU member states and in NATO countries as well as in Eastern Partnership and Southeast European countries.

The conference was opened by Finland’s Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo. She highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to security and to countering hybrid threats. “Social cohesion is the best antidote against hybrid threats. We need to act in a structured and coordinated way,” she said.

The keynote speaker was Teija Tiilikainen, who took up her duties as Director of the Hybrid CoE in October 2019.

“The current international system makes a favourable environment for hybrid actions. International rules are challenged, and trust in international institutions has weakened. The conflict of values is spreading to domestic spheres, creating fertile ground for foreign influencing,” Director Tiilikainen observed.

“Our task is to help us all to meet this environment and its challenges for our societies and help our participating states to enhance their resilience and build capacity”, she noted.

The three panel discussions of the day addressed the diverse perceptions on the concept of hybrid threats, the future of democracy and the impact of future technologies on the critical infrastructure in hybrid scenarios.

Read the full news article on the EU2019fi website

October 16, 2019

Hybrid threats and harbour protection workshop fills gaps in resilience

Hybrid CoE and its COI Vulnerabilities and Resilience (COI VR) organised a two-day workshop on Hybrid Threats and Harbour Protection in cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the ResQU2 platform[1].

The workshop examined hybrid threats in a harbour protection context by assessing vulnerabilities and solutions for effective protection measures and improved resilience. Particular attention was paid to existing capabilities for countering hybrid threats, and to potential development needs.
The emphasis was on the roles of the large number of operators involved in a single harbour, and on assessing the potential capability gaps and development needs among key stakeholders.

Four specific hybrid threat scenarios were examined during the second day of the workshop. Participants worked in small groups exploring potential proactive means and countermeasures for detecting and responding to hybrid attacks targeted against harbours, vessels and sea lines of communication.

It was concluded that digitalisation of the port processes including the whole logistics chain is the current trend. This exposes new potential vulnerabilities in terms of hybrid operations. All the port community has to recognise this trend and seek the necessary solutions to maintain and improve resilience.

The workshop brought together key public and private partners: harbour authorities, shipping industry and related business entities, representatives of the EU and NATO, as well as transport, security and defence experts from relevant ministries and governmental agencies.
The workshop provided a follow-up to previous activities undertaken by the COl VR:

the Workshop on Harbour Protection in the Hybrid Threat Environment organised jointly with the EDA in its Brussels premises on 29–30 May 2018,
the International Symposium on Maritime Security on 4–5 September 2018, organised jointly with the Helmut Schmidt Defence University in Hamburg, and
the Workshop on Hybrid Scenarios in the Baltic Sea on 28–29 May 2019, organised in cooperation with Re5QU2 project in the Turku Archipelago, Finland.

As a result of the four workshops, Hybrid CoE will launch for its practitioners network a limited circulation Handbook on Harbour Protection later this year. For further information, please contact Director of COI VR Jukka Savolainen: jukka.savolainen(at)hybridcoe.fi

[1] the ResQU2 platform is funded by EU’s Interreg programme and led by University of Turku