On Wednesday, 2nd June, I attended an interesting online program about cybersecurity. This program was organized by the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE). Its main theme was about the inauguration of RISE’s cyber range and cyber security in Sweden.

A cyber range is a virtual environment that companies can use typically for cyber warfare training. Sweden’s own cyber range was introduced as a multipurpose state-of-the-art cybersecurity research environment, test, and a demo arena. Using RISE’s cyber range it appears that real-world applications, for example, vehicles and automotive systems, could be tested, in a safe environment, against real-world attacks. This is done using a sandboxed virtualised network environment that is managed and operated by professionals.

In addition to cyber range, there were other topics presented from a variety of compelling speakers. Particularly, topics about the Swedish bug bounty, cyber security at the EU level, and cyber security investment opportunities. One delivery (in Swedish) that I think was riveting was an interview with an (unnamed) ethical hacker.

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Cyber security is a topic that is becoming increasingly important, especially as more systems are getting interconnected. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of skilled and qualified individuals to fill the increasing demands for cyber security professionals.

From an academic perspective, we have been for years, and especially in recent years, developing and running courses about cybersecurity. However, this year, in Sweden, we are developing something that specifically is meant to help advance cyber security research and competence. More on that in a later post.