Security and fraud detection

Estonia is the host country for NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Center of Excellence.
Skype has established its fraud prevention center in Estonia to effectively combat growing fraud.
By December 2011, more than 100 000 Estonian organisations had joined in the virtual world, allowing them to exchange data using an advanced secure server system called "X-Road" - a message exchange system designed to allow for secure communication and improve the availability of databases without endangering confidentiality.
The Estonian Ministry of Defence has actively endorsed the prevention of cyber war and fraud and has published a 36-page strategy that describes the cyber threat landscape, as well as legal and educational principles that will guide the nation.

Preventing cyber-fraud has received notable attention in the information society during recent years. In Estonia, ID-card and e-Services infrastructure architectures have been created; also banks have actively raised awareness of potential cyber-fraud among citizens. Due to high-tech solutions for preventing fraud and cyber attacks via e-Banking, the usage of e-Banking in Estonia has become very trustworthy.

Estonia has also focused on the availability of education on cyber security, and the Tallinn Institute of Technology is now offering a master's degree program in cyber security, providing excellent opportunities for companies to gain highly educated workers.

The fact that NATO's and Skype's security teams are located in Estonia is a clear indication that Estonia has the capabilities of offering world-class knowledge and people to compete with the new era of growing cyber risks.

Investment opportunities

Investment opportunities in new innovative start-ups
Investment opportunities in established companies for expanding internationally

Growth areas

Cyber security centers in Estonia
Security software development
Defence software and systems integration
Mobile security
Wireless security

Strenghts of Estonian ICT labour pool

Innovative talent pool: Estonia has long enjoyed an international reputation for technical expertise, coupled with innovation.
Deep supply of all experience levels: Estonia offers an incredibly rich variety of ICT skills, to accommodate applications that are being developed and those that are being maintained.
Age profile assures long-term supply of talent: The proportionally high level of young workers within ICT suggests that it remains an attractive long-term proposition for local talent supply. This is supported to some extent by the emergence of more niche oriented specialisms, such as gaming.
High levels of education: ICT has a higher than average degree/post graduate education level, which will bode well for future co-operative ventures, perhaps encompassing Engineering.
Multi-skilled workforce: Estonian ICT professionals can already meet skills demand for "hot" sectors such as green initiatives and renewable energy.
Foreign language ability: Estonia can operate as a global hub, supported by foreign language ability within its ICT sector. English represents one of the four most highly spoken languages amongst the ICT workforce.