Estonia Seeks Cybersecurity Collaboration with India Amid Rising Cyber Threats

Estonia, a global leader in digital innovation, is extending a hand to India to forge a strong partnership in cybersecurity. Both nations face significant cyber threats, with Estonia facing attacks from Russia and India facing similar threats from China.

Jonatan Vseviov, secretary general of Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed keen interest in collaborating with India on cyber exercises and other areas like digital services and education systems. This partnership aims to bolster both nations' cybersecurity infrastructure in the face of increasing global cyberattacks.

Estonia's Vulnerability and Resilience​

Estonia's proximity to NATO has made it a frequent target of cyberattacks, particularly following its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The country experienced one of the largest cyberattacks in 2007, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack triggered by the removal of a Soviet war memorial.

Since the war in Ukraine, Estonia has continued to face threats from Russian actors. This mirrors India's experience with cyberattacks from China, often targeting critical infrastructure.

NATO's Role and Invitation to India​

Mart Noorma, director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), highlighted the importance of collaboration among democratic nations to counter cyber threats. He extended a warm invitation to India to join the CCDCOE, emphasizing the benefits of knowledge sharing, research, training, and joint exercises in strengthening cybersecurity.

The CCDCOE, established in 2008, serves as a knowledge hub for cyber defence, bringing together international experts from various fields. Its interdisciplinary approach addresses critical cybersecurity challenges.

Growing Ties and Shared Interests​

The relationship between Estonia and India is flourishing. An Indian contingent participated as observers in a NATO-led cybersecurity exercise in Estonia, marking a significant step in their cooperation. This exercise, the largest of its kind in Europe, involved 32 NATO countries and other invitees.

Both Estonia and India share a unique similarity in their national identity systems: e-ID in Estonia and Aadhaar in India. These systems are integral to various government services and have been a subject of mutual interest and study.

Challenges and Opportunities​

While the partnership holds promise, there are challenges to address. Estonia's security establishment views India's substantial purchase of Russian oil since the Ukraine war with some concern. However, both nations recognize the potential for collaboration, particularly in diversifying supply chains and reducing reliance on specific countries.

Estonia sees India as a potential partner for Europe, despite their differences in size and population. This partnership could extend to various sectors, including defence, where Estonian startups are already finding a market in India due to its NATO membership.

The Way Forward​

Despite the challenges, the potential for collaboration between Estonia and India in cybersecurity is immense. By working together, both nations can enhance their cyber resilience, share knowledge and expertise, and create a safer digital environment for their citizens. This partnership represents a significant step towards a more secure digital future for both countries.