Security situation in my home country (Week 10)

 Estonian's Security Situation according to "Mitnick's formula"

In today's blog I will try to estimate the overall security situation in my home country using Mitnick's formula. In my case, it will be Estonia.

To start with, Kevin Mitnick is an American computer security consultant, author, and convicted hacker, best known for his high-profile 1995 arrest and five years in prison for various computer and communications-related crimes. He now runs the security firm Mitnick Security Consulting, LLC. He is also the Chief Hacking Officer and part owner of the security awareness training company KnowBe4, as well as an active advisory board member at Zimperium, a firm that develops a mobile intrusion prevention system.

According to his formula security comes from:

      1.Technology: networks, firewalls, antiviruses;

      2.Training: awareness of different attacks;

      3.Policy: set procedures and requirements.

Technology:

I believe that nowadays all people accept that we live in a Century of Technology.

Almost in every aspect of our life we use digital devices. 

Coming closer to my country's technologies, government pays a lot of attention to it and improves the level of digital life in many cities. Estonia has one of the most advanced digital society in the world.

Estonia is the first country to offer e-Residency, a government-issued digital identity and status that provides access to Estonia’s transparent business environment: a new digital nation for the world. With this feature, entrepreneurs from all over the world can start an EU-based company and manage business from anywhere, entirely online.

  

In addition to that, every citizen gets an ID card, which you can also use for digital signatures. Whether we’re filing tax returns, booking train tickets, or choosing our leaders, our ID cards are secure and easy to use. This secure system also explains why Estonia was the first country in the world to hold its elections online.

Photo 1, e-Residency [3]

Interesting fact that Estonia has more startups per person than Silicon Valley.

The country holds the world record for startups per person. And it’s certainly outpacing the rest of Europe. For example. in 2003, Skype was a small startup company in Estonia. As of March 2020, Skype was used by 100 million people at least once a month and by 40 million people each day (Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Skype lost a large part of its market share to Zoom).

Training:

If you're looking to learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity, advance tactics, or prepare for industry-recognized certification it is all possible in Estonia. In addition to that, you can always find interesting courses and participate in different activities. Activities that come to my mind are "Hackaton" or "kübernaaskel" or some other CTF competitions. These kinds of activities are the best experience both for experienced developers or students.

Photo 2, Tech events [4]

Policy:

The goal of international cybersecurity cooperation is to ensure high-level national protection against cyber threats. This is achieved through international exchange of information and experience, promotion of mutual trust, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in cyberspace and strengthening of alliance and partnership relations.

Estonia’s experience shows that much of the knowledge concerning cybersecurity, its vulnerabilities and mitigation, is available in the private sector. An excellent example of public and private sector cooperation is the volunteer cybersecurity unit of the Estonian Defence League. This initiative pursues national security tasks, along with interpersonal communications, professional education and awareness-raising, setting an example to many other countries.

In conclusion, I would say that Estonia is already considered to be one of the leading digital nations. And I do believe that Estonia will continue to lead in the department of digital technologies and cyber security.

References:

1) https://dbpedia.org/page/Kevin_Mitnick [1]

2) https://www.worksup.com/10-amazing-savy-technology-facts-about-estonia/ [2]

3) https://www.e-resident.gov.ee/blog/posts/temporary-pick-up-points-for-e-residency-digital-id-in-barcelona-munich-istanbul [3]

4) https://medium.com/@geetika_keim/stay-updated-about-upcoming-hackathons-and-tech-events-90d151c72942 [4]

5) https://e-estonia.com/estonia-a-european-and-global-leader-in-the-digitalisation-of-public-services/ [5]

6) https://vm.ee/en/cyber-security [6]

7) https://www.e-resident.gov.ee/ [7]