US to participate in future NATO cyber defense center in Estonia

16.10.2007

TALLINN, Oct 16, BNS - The United States has decided to participate in the activity of a NATO Center of Excellence for cyber defense to be set up in Estonia and will post an expert here, the Defense Ministry reports.

Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy Marshall Billingslea said in a letter to the ministry that the United States attaches importance to cooperating with Estonia in the sphere of cyber defense and in confirmation of this is joining the countries contributing to the center.

The US Navy is going to send to Estonia one of its top cyber defense experts, the secretary said. Participation in the manning of the cyber defense center testifies according to Billingslea to the good relations of Estonia and the United States.

The only solution to new threats characteristic of today's security environment, such as cyber attacks, is close international cooperation, Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo said.

"The US participation alongside Germany and Spain in the NATO Center of Excellence for cyber defense to be established in Estonia is thus not only a sign of the strong alliance relations of our countries but also a clear message of shared perception of danger," the minister added. "It is our common wish to prevent those who want to attack our way of life."

According to the US ambassador to Estonia, Stanley Davis Phillips, the participation of a cyber expert from his country in the work of the cyber defense center indicates the respect of the United States for the Estonian efforts to combat cyber crime and cyber terrorism.

The cyber defense center will play a significant part in our struggle against this growing threat, the diplomat stated.

The Communication and Information Systems Training and Development Center of the Estonian defense forces includes a center for cyber defense that serves as the basis for the creation of the NATO Center of Excellence in Cooperative Cyber Defense.

The purpose of the center is to strengthen the alliance's cyber defense capability and be a provider of expertise essential for NATO.