Article content
In an interconnected digital world, threats cross borders as easily as data does, making international cooperation essential for keeping societies secure. Estonia has long been an active contributor to global cybersecurity discussions, ensuring we remain well connected with trusted partners and that our experience helps shape international policy.
We spoke with Carmen Raal, Head of International Cybersecurity Cooperation at the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, about how Estonia works with partners around the world, why strengthening digital supply chains is becoming a major global priority, and why she remains optimistic that countries can work together to secure the digital future.
What does your work involve in practice? What kinds of partnerships or initiatives are you currently focusing on?
My role is essentially to ensure that Estonia is well-connected, well-represented, and well-positioned internationally in cybersecurity. In practice, this involves representing Estonia in a wide range of international formats, both within the European Union and globally, where cybersecurity policy, cooperation, and operational coordination are discussed. A key part of the work is building and maintaining strong bilateral relationships with partner countries. Cybersecurity is an area where trust and direct cooperation matter greatly, so we invest significant effort in developing partnerships that enable us to exchange experiences, share best practices, and coordinate responses to emerging cyber threats. Another important aspect is making sure Estonia’s voice and expertise are reflected in international discussions and policy development. Estonia has a strong reputation in cybersecurity, and we actively contribute our experience in areas such as digital governance, resilience, and cyber incident response. Overall, the goal is to ensure that Estonia is not only secure domestically but also part of a strong and trusted international network, because cybersecurity challenges are global in nature and can only be addressed effectively through close cooperation.
Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest cybersecurity challenges countries will need to address together in the coming years?
One of the most significant cybersecurity challenges countries will need to address is securing digital supply chains. Governments and organisations around the world are increasingly realising that supply chains have become complex, interconnected, and fragile. Software, hardware, and digital services are often built through global networks of suppliers, which means that vulnerabilities in one part of the chain can quickly affect many others. Strengthening supply chain security is, therefore, not something any country can tackle alone. For Estonia, close cooperation with trusted international partners is essential to improve transparency, set common standards, and reduce systemic risks.
Another crucial issue is ensuring effective coordination between countries when responding to cyber incidents. Cyber incidents rarely remain confined to a single country; they can spread rapidly across borders, affecting multiple systems and jurisdictions simultaneously. This means that countries must not only be able to protect their own networks but also to coordinate responses quickly and effectively with partners. Developing shared procedures, improving information exchange, and conducting joint exercises will become increasingly important to ensure that, when major cyber incidents occur, we can respond collectively and efficiently.
Ultimately, cybersecurity is a domain where no country can succeed in isolation. Strengthening partnerships, building trust, and improving coordinated responses will therefore remain at the heart of international cybersecurity efforts in the years to come.
How important is cooperation within the EU when it comes to cybersecurity?
Achieving a common high level of cybersecurity across the Union is one of the EU’s key priorities, and for good reason. Our economies, digital services, and infrastructure are connected. In cyberspace, borders matter far less than networks do. A cyber incident in one Member State can quickly ripple across others. That is why close coordination, trust, and information sharing between EU countries are so important. If we want to respond quickly and effectively to cyber threats, we need to understand what is happening across the Union and act together. By cooperating within the EU, we strengthen not only our individual resilience but also the security of the entire European digital ecosystem.Oureconomies areconnected, so our response must be as well.
Achieving a common high level of cybersecurity across the Union is one of the EU’s key priorities, and for good reason. Our economies, digital services, and infrastructure are connected. In cyberspace, borders matter far less than networks do. A cyber incident in one Member State can quickly ripple across others. That is why close coordination, trust, and information sharing between EU countries are so important. If we want to respond quickly and effectively to cyber threats, we need to understand what is happening across the Union and act together. By cooperating within the EU, we strengthen not only our individual resilience but also the security of the entire European digital ecosystem.Oureconomies areconnected, so our response must be as well.
Looking at the global situation today, are you optimistic that countries can work together to keep the digital world secure? Why or why not?
I choose to be optimistic because, if not, there would be little point in investing so much effort in international cooperation. The reality is that in today’s interconnected world, operating in isolation is not an option for any country, especially in cybersecurity. No country, no matter how capable, can secure the digital space alone. What gives me optimism is that countries increasingly recognise this reality.There may be differences in approach at times. Still, the fundamental understanding is clear: securing the digital world is a shared responsibility, and we are stronger when we address these challenges together.
