Sweden Secure Tech Hub aims to enhance cybersecurity for Swedish businesses
In international comparisons, Sweden ranks at the very top in terms of innovation, but it lags significantly behind in the realm of cybersecurity. Hence, Sweden is launching its first innovation hub for cybersecurity, primarily targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises.
Sweden Secure Tech Hub is a collaboration among six of Sweden’s leading science parks in the fields of technology and digitalization. With funding from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket), it will offer education, consultancy, and expert assistance to companies in the regions of Skåne, Östergötland, Västra Götaland, Norrbotten, Blekinge, and Stockholm. The ambition is to enhance the competitiveness of both small and large companies through a digital and/or physical meeting place where they can collectively develop their ability to create secure products, services, or solutions.
Many Swedish small and medium-sized enterprises lack the time and expertise to secure their business operations and methods, which in turn affects their ability to develop secure products for their customers. In some cases, there is also a lack of awareness about why this area should be addressed.
Several reports to the government have noted that digital attacks are ongoing in Sweden. Companies risk losing critical data, such as customer records, contracts, quotations, design solutions, patents, supplier registers, or facing production stoppages. Data breaches can be carried out by criminal individuals and organizations intending to steal, extort, or otherwise harm the company, as well as foreign powers seeking advanced technical information (industrial espionage) or sensitive information about Sweden.
“To succeed in digitization, it is important for companies to have a good understanding of cybersecurity risks,” says Karin Bengtsson, CEO of Kista Science City. “We offer an opportunity for companies to enhance their knowledge and capability to protect themselves against cyberattacks.”
Sweden Secure Tech Hub will offer small and medium-sized enterprises a range of activities aimed at raising their level and capability. Planned activities include needs assessments, networking events, training sessions, seminars, as well as technical, financial, and legal expert assistance.
“Sweden Secure Tech Hub is a unique opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises to access expertise and national networks,” says Emma Sturesson, project manager for Sweden Secure Tech Hub. “We offer a wide range of activities, from training and seminars to networking events and technical advisory services. Everything is provided free of charge to companies.
If you want to learn more about Sweden Secure Tech Hub and how you can participate in upcoming activities, please contact:
Karin Bengtsson, CEO, Kista Science City
Email: karin.bengtsson@kista.com
Phone: +46 (0) 70 092 07 13
Emma Sturesson, Project Manager, Blue Science Park
Email: emma.sturesson@bluesciencepark.se
Phone: +46 (0) 76 136 82 06
Facts:
Sweden ICT, which backs Sweden Secure Tech Hub, is a collaboration among six of Sweden’s leading science parks in technology and digitalization: Linköping Science Park, Lindholmen Science Park (Western Sweden), Ideon Science Park (Lund), Kista Science City (Stockholm), Luleå Science Park, and Blue Science Park (Karlskrona). Together, they represent an ecosystem with more than 2400 companies and 59,000 employees. Sweden Secure Tech Hub is designated by the EU as a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) and has been tasked with supporting and strengthening companies and society in their secure digitization efforts. The work is financed by the European Regional Development Fund, Tillväxtverket, and Region Blekinge, in collaboration with the aforementioned partners.”
