On Tuesday, the 28th of March, more than 50 participants representing 30 different organizations met at the Consortium for Cyber- and Information Security in Aarhus and signed a Letter of Commitment. This commitment involves collaboration among Aarhus University, interest organizations, the City of Aarhus and strong IT companies.
The significance of the topic was clear during the meeting, when the first speaker, the Head of Center for Cybersecurity, Thomas Flarup, emphasized the need for a binding and robust business-oriented effort to strengthen cyber and information security. He presented an updated insight into the cyber threat in Denmark, highlighting the necessity for collective action. Deloitte further underlined Aarhus' relevance by presenting a brand-new market analysis on cyber security. The analysis illustrated Aarhus' strength in the field of cyber and information security, and that Aarhus has the capacity to lead an effort for a more cyber-secure future.
The report highlights that Aarhus has:
- A solid foundation of world-class research in the field
- Competitive IT- and tech companies
- A partnership-oriented business culture
The full report from Deloitte can be found here (in Danish).
Cyber security is strengthened through collaboration
Aarhus’ expertise and strong presence in the field obligate the city to play a crucial role in making Denmark a more secure country in cyberspace. This can only be achieved through cooperation within the ecosystem, which consists of Aarhus University, established tech companies, innovative start-ups and a large aggregation of knowledge and talent. Together, they can create new solutions and tackle challenges in cyberspace.
To spearhead this effort, Martin Østergaard Christensen, CEO of the City of Aarhus, presented the lighthouse initiative for cyber and information security: Security Tech Space. Security Tech Space aims to become the power center in securing a modern and digital defense in Danish businesses. A critical task is to support small and medium-sized enterprises, as they are particularly exposed to cyberattacks. With 99 percent of Danish companies falling into this category, and 44 percent lacking sufficient security measures while 24 percent have yet to fulfill basic IT safety measures, the Deloitte report pointed out how Aarhus and East Jutland can help to fulfill the demand for knowledge, competencies, and resources in these businesses.
A binding and ambitious collaboration on cyber and information security
As the meeting came to an end, Mayor Jacob Bundgaard invited participants to sign a “Letter of Commitment”. Through this commitment, the parties commited to an ambitious cooperation to strengthen and evolve the ecosystem for cyber and information security. Efforts include providing experts for mentoring students and start-ups, as well as supporting further funding and activities within the consortium, such as research and development projects. The importance of a strong cyber security effort was made clear, as the participants’ support for signing and thereby entering a binding cooperation was overwhelming.
Looking ahead, the next crucial steps involve establishing an Executive Board and appointing a director for Security Tech Space.
If your business or organization is interested in participating in the Consortium for Cyber and Information Security, please contact the Smart Aarhus Secretariat.