In order to be better prepared for possible crisis scenarios in the future, the Austrian Armed Forces and the Internet Service Providers Austria (ISPA) – the association of Austrian internet providers – are strengthening their exchange and cooperation. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and the Vice President of ISPA, Natalie Ségur-Cabanac, signed a declaration of intent on August 1st.
“As digitalization progresses, the discourse is absolutely necessary, especially in the area of cyber security. In recent years, we have seen how important it is to take the right precautions for crisis scenarios, and this also applies to the digital space. This cooperation will deepen the collaboration between the Armed Forces and a reliable partner. Above all, we are intensifying the exchange of information so that we are optimally prepared for upcoming challenges,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
“In recent years, we have seen how important it is to take the right precautions for crisis scenarios, and this also applies to the digital space.”
Verteidigungsministerin Klaudia Tanner
The aim of the memorandum of understanding is to institutionalize and strengthen the current exchange between the Federal Ministry of Defence and ISPA. Technical information is to be exchanged, particularly in the areas of resilience, hazard analysis and crisis communication. In future, information officers from the Austrian Armed Forces are to give lectures as required and ISPA representatives will also contribute their specialist expertise at events. Another point is the transfer of specialist knowledge in training courses, for example on cyber security. As self-sufficiency and autonomy have become increasingly important in the Armed Forces in recent years, concepts for the resilience of this self-sufficiency are being worked on together with the ISPA.
ISPA Vice President Natalie Ségur-Cabanac said: “The internet is part of every country’s critical infrastructure and its crisis security is indispensable. The Austrian Internet industry has a lot of experience, including from the telecommunications sector, which is already subject to high resilience requirements, and can bring this expertise to cyber security. For security concepts to be truly effective, they must be comprehensively planned and implemented. We are therefore all the more pleased about the exchange with the Austrian Armed Forces and being able to make a contribution to Austria’s security.”
“for security concepts to be truly effective, they must be comprehensively planned and implemented.”
ISPA-Vize-Präsidentin Natalie Ségur-Cabanac
The field of cyber security has been growing in importance both nationally and internationally for years. The Austrian Cyber Security Challenge is Austria’s first IT security talent search to recruit talented young people. The Austrian Armed Forces are also constantly on the lookout for talent in this area and some of the former participants now work in the Ministry of Defense. Last year saw the launch of the new bachelor’s degree course in “military information and communication technology leadership” was launched last year.for which future ICT officers can apply.
