The most advanced cyber security country in Europe, Estonia has unique expertise in the research, development and management of cyber security solutions and systems. Home to NATO CCDCOE, Guardtime and Malwarebytes, Estonia is trusted to keep the digital economy safe.
World-class skills in system design, cryptography, electronic ID and Blockchain. | |
Experience from successfully defending against 2007 cyberattacks. | |
Global collaboration hub for academia, industry, government and military. | |
Thought leader via Tallinn Manuals, Locked Shields, Crossed Swords and CyCon. | |
Unique environment for cyber security R&D, testing and management. |
Following its successful defence of the 2007 cyber attacks, Estonia developed a national cyber security strategy and has emerged as a leader in the field, ranking first in Europe due to its multi-stakeholder approach to strategic, technical, operational, and legal aspects.
World-class education in math and science creates a strong foundation which is augmented by excellent IT skills and practical experience in areas including system design, encryption, intrusion detection, and Blockchain.
World-leading cyber security companies such as CGI, Symantec, and Malwarebytes use Estonia as a base to research, develop and manage consumer, enterprise, and government solutions. Guardtime, the world’s largest Blockchain company, trusts Estonia to provide its cryptographers, developers, and security architects.
Estonia is also an expert at protecting complex high-tech systems, being home to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (NATO CCD COE) and European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems (EU LISA). At the same time, besides those large-scale capabilities, local researchers are working on different niche cyber security capabilities, such as maritime cyber security.
In the rapidly evolving world of cyber security Estonia is at the forefront of thought leadership and global collaboration through its hosting of the CyCon event and the Locked Shields and Crossed Swords exercises. Estonia ranks second for laws relating to ICT globally and The Tallinn Manuals are the most comprehensive analysis of how international law applies to cyberspace.
As cybercrime becomes a significant factor in client relationships, business valuation and even national security, Estonia’s unique blend of expertise and environment provides the ideal platform for the research, development, and management of cyber security solutions.
98% of Estonians have an ID card and use it regularly to securely identify themselves and utilise e-services. Over 73,000 e-residents use their Estonian ID card to sign contracts, access financial services, and run their Estonian company, where and when suits them best.
While many countries and businesses around the world struggle with online trust, Estonia already has proof of concept. The World Bank estimates that Estonians save a remarkable five days per year using digital signatures. Digital business models are proven to be more profitable and agile. UNCTAD has adopted Estonian e-ID solutions as a secure way to grow e-commerce in emerging markets.
Estonia’s expertise in the field comes from world-class skills in cyber security and active collaboration between government, telecommunication, and financial service providers such as Telia, Swedbank, and SEB. Ultra-high user convenience and strong legal protection create the trust required for use across applications.
Estonia’s transition to high-speed, mobile telecommunications has driven innovation in the field. Mobile-ID solutions allow users to utilise their smartphones for e-services by creating a secure, encrypted connection to the service provider.
Smart-ID is a next-generation e-ID solution, providing secure authentication and electronic signing for device-independent transactions where there is no SIM card. Already used in three countries and eIDAS-compliant, Smart-ID is the most advanced e-ID solution in the European Union today.
Like many aspects of life, business and government move online, Estonian e-ID solutions set the standard for security and user convenience.
Success stories in the Estonian cyber security sector include:
Bytelife, CGI, Cybernetica read more), EU-LISA (read more), Guardtime, Malwarebytes watch video), NATO CCD COE, Parallels, Symantec and others.
These websites can be useful when interested in cyber security in Estonia:
You are also welcome to send us a request for personal e-consulting to obtain more specific information.
Estonia is a cashless society with over 99% of financial transactions occurring digitally. Electronic ID and Blockchain are widely used in FinTech applications. 80+ FinTechs ranging from innovative startups such as Wise to Blockchain leader Guardtime make Estonia a global centre of excellence for FinTech.
Estonia is not only a pioneering digital society, which has found convincing answers to the challenges of digitalization, but it also is a very green country. There is a strong societal and political will to utilize the capabilities and ecosystems. These have been developed to tackle the challenges of decarbonization of the economy and to become once again a leading player – in CleanTech and GreenTech.
Defence has always been a focal point for Estonia. The country's capable defence forces consist of a professional army, reserve forces, and national defence league, complemented by NATO allied forces. Technology entrepreneurs and engineers have teamed up with the army to develop world-class solutions for the global defence industry. When we say defence, we mean business.
Metaverse is the parallel universe or a unified universal virtual world, facilitated by the use of virtual and augmented reality headsets. In addition to the fact that existing products and services can be transferred to the Metaverse, it achieves a completely new economic environment and opportunities to create and market products and services that are unique to the Metaverse. Simply said, Metaverse has no limits in Estonia.
Estonia developed X-Road, its proprietary decentralised, distributed system in 2001 and has utilised Blockchain since 2008. World-class technical skills supported by practical experience implementing public and permissioned Blockchain’s place Estonia at the forefront of the emerging Blockchain economy.
Patient records in Estonia are digitised and secured by the Blockchain, providing a single immutable data source for healthcare professionals. With a unique digital platform and collaborative ecosystem, Estonia is positioned to lead on preventative medicine, patient self-treatment and industry efficiency.
What is it like to run a business in Estonia? How to benefit from the e-solutions and the efficiency of our business culture? What are the opportunities in specific sectors? Who to partner up with?
The Estonian Investment Agency’s team is happy to help you via its complimentary e-Consulting service, organize online or offline follow-up events such as virtual investment visits and guide you through the fairly simple process of investing in Estonia.