The importance of economic security is emphasised in a transactional world

The importance of economic security is emphasised in a transactional world

Russia and China will not shy away from using any means available in the competition for innovations of even Finnish companies in current key technologies and future disruptive technologies.

The importance of the economy and business sector for national security will grow as relations between countries shift from value-based partnerships in an increasingly transactional direction. In particular, competition for disruptive technologies will make authoritarian countries, above all China and Russia, use any means possible to improve their competitive position.

Disruptive technologies are rapidly evolving technologies that change our understanding of critical resources when taken to use. For example, as electric motors are taking over the market from internal combustion engines, the significance of oil as the key resource of the world is weakening, and the importance of rare earth metals needed in batteries is increasing. Quantum technology is an example of a disruptive technology in which Finland is exceptionally strong.

China and Russia strive to acquire technological innovations using both legal and illegal means even in Finland. Investments, corporate acquisitions, espionage and technology transfers through research cooperation are all part of the Chinese toolkit, for example.

Cyber espionage can steal a start-up's future success

Start-ups in their early stages are often particularly vulnerable to activities against Finland's security and interests, because their safety culture and resources are not yet at the same level as in large companies that have learned to protect themselves.

If an innovation developed by a start-up is stolen using, for example, cyber espionage, the company is often robbed of its whole future. At the same time, Finland's national interests suffer if Finland thus loses a successful export company of tomorrow, a potential builder of a subcontracting chain or a driver of economic growth.

In its role as an intelligence and security service, SUPO both gathers intelligence for the Finnish state leadership on the objectives of great powers and combats threats to national security affecting Finnish business life.

Combating threats to the economy and business requires cooperation between companies and authorities. Protecting critical infrastructure alone is not enough, we must also be able to protect critical production and value chains. The information received from companies improves the authorities' understanding of phenomena related to economic security, and the intelligence of SUPO helps companies protect themselves effectively.

SUPO must also be able to utilise technological development in its own work, which will require establishing more strategic partnerships with technology companies in the future.

Juha Martelius
Director of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service