Why technical expertise isn’t always required to work in cybersecurity
Jun 17, 2022
Estonian Life No. 24 2022
The e-Estonia Briefing Centre hosts the series Digital Discussions, in which experts on digitalization and the cyber realm are invited to speak on relevant topics. On June 2nd, international cyber security heavyweights gathered for a discussion on an increasingly important topic – security in cyberspace.
Guests included Ms. Merle Maigre, Senior Cyber Security expert at the e-Governance Academy; Ms. Līga Raita Rozentāle, CISM, Microsoft Senior Director and Team Lead for EU Cybersecurity and Emerging threats; and Mr. Siim Alatalu, CEO of the CR14 foundation.
Topics included resilience, cyber warfare, the role of the private sector, and cooperation between international organisations, such as NATO and the United Nations. But one recurring theme was the importance of people—both professionally involved and not—in developing a country’s cyber resilience. Cybersecurity is as much people-oriented as it is technology-driven, going against the stereotypical idea that machines and hackers are all that make up the field.
Resilience begins with people
While building new cyber weapons and security mechanisms are important for developing a country’s resilience, the first line of defence truly lies in the awareness and education of its population. Let’s say a country develops a powerful, all-encompassing firewall that protects its data and critical infrastructure. “Sooner or later, someone will get through,” says Merle Maigre. Security breaches are not a question of if, but when.
(Read more: Estonian Life No. 24 2022 paber- and PDF/digi)
Written by Natalie Jenkins, Toronto
