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Estonia’s Digital Paradox: Legacies and Lessons


Estonia has established itself as a leader in innovation and technology. With programs like e-Voting, e-Residency, e-Governance, e-Health, e-Tax, and e-Prescription, the country has successfully integrated key government infrastructures into the digital realm.

But high internet traffic presents an increased vulnerability to cyberattacks. The phrase commonly refers to when someone deliberately enters computer systems with malicious intent to either destroy, steal, or manipulate data.

With Estonia’s high degree of digitalization, is it more prone to cyberattacks? Some say yes.

Estonia is thus faced with a digital paradox. Its strategic and innovative use of the cyber realm, which has propelled the country to prosperity, is also its greatest liability.
Photo by Johns Hopkins

Despite this, Estonia is heralded for its strong cybersecurity and defence capabilities. The nation is currently ranked 5th out of 160 countries on the National Cyber Security Index. For context, Canada ranks 36th, and the U.S. is 21st. What explains Estonia’s success, and what lessons can the rest of the world learn from it?

(Read more: Estonian Life No. 22 2022 paber- and PDF/digi)

Written by Natalie Jenkins, Toronto


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