According to Raimond Kaljulaid, Chairman of the Committee, the security situation in the region has been unprecedentedly difficult for more than a year due to our aggressive neighbour, and therefore, it is very important that defence policymakers in the ministry, the government, and Riigikogu have accurate and up-to-date information for making decisions.
In recent weeks, the activities of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service have come to the public attention more than usual. I can assure you that the relevant authorities and the ministry have worked and continue to work constructively and professionally to ensure the security of Estonia and its people. There is always room for discussion on how to make our national defence even better. The question is whether a broad public debate is invariably beneficial in an area as sensitive as intelligence. Probably not. It is time to end the public debate and move on,’ said Kaljulaid.
The meeting also discussed the process led by the Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur for finding a new Director General for the Foreign Intelligence Service. The committee members underlined the need to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of the Service's activities.
In addition, Gert Auväärt, Director of Cyber Security of the Information System Authority, gave an overview of cyber attacks against Estonia to the National Defence Committee. According to Auväärt, denial-of-service attacks have become a foreign policy tool. ‘We have seen them used against countries across Europe where unpopular decisions are being made in the eyes of the aggressors. Based on our analyses, we know that attacks are also carried out during important events or holidays,’ he pointed out. Auväärt added that the government's investments in cyber security at the beginning of the year have largely neutralised the impact of attacks on the Estonian people, but much remains to be done. ‘The Information System Authority provides public authorities with ways to protect themselves and we are here to help with advice and support. We also consult closely with the private sector.’
The Information System Authority believes that similar attacks are likely to occur in the future and that we can prepare for them even better. The Information System Authority's representative also told the Committee about yesterday's disruption of the electronic identification service and its impact.
