Construction phase 2010 – 2014
First negotiations about co-operation in research and development program around network and computer security were launched with Finnish industry in December 2010. Those negotiations led to the funding proposal of the JYVSECTEC –program focused to the development environments and to the systems of command, control and surveillance centers. JYVSECTEC –program was launched on September 2011 with the budget of 2,4M€. Main financiers were Regional Council of Central Finland and European Regional Development Fund. Other financiers were Cassidian Finland Oy, Jykes Oy, Ajeco Oy, Descom Oy, Relator Oy and JAMK University of Applied Sciences. In the early 2013 program was refocused to the cyber security, with the development of skills and knowledge around the domain of cyber security, and the development of the RGCE cyber range (Realistic Global Cyber Environment).
With the new focus and with the development of RGCE cyber range, the JAMK University of Applied Sciences achieved the status of cyber security specialist, and signed co-operation agreement with the Finnish Ministry of Defence on the development of national cyber security.
During the year 2013, the first national cyber security exercise was conducted with the Finnish Defence Forces. JYVSECTEC was also recognised as one important actor in the programme of measures of the Finland´s Cyber Security Strategy. At the same time, new service products like cyber security training, cyber security exercises, cyber security consulting and security testing were launched alongside of the building of co-operation networks.
During the year 2014, the second national cyber security exercise was conducted and the development phase of JYVSECTEC –program was finished in January of 2015. During the late phase of the program the classified office structures were constructed, because of the nature and requirements around cyber security. International interoperability was also launched and JYVSECTEC specialists were participating in the international cyber security exercises with Finnish authorities.
JYVSECTEC –program developed the base for the independent cyber security research, development and training center in Finland as part of the JAMK University of Applied Sciences.
Further development and consolidation phase 2015–2017
The negotiations of the new program were started with the aim of establishing the status of the JYVSECTEC being the leading independent cyber security research, development and training center in Finland. Early 2015 new programs JYVSECTEC Center and JYVSECTEC Center RGCE were launched with the total budget approximately of 2,1M€. Main financiers are Council of Tampere Region and European Regional Development Fund. Other financiers are Airbus DS Finland Oy, TeliaCompany Oyj, Elisa Oyj, Cygate Oy, Fingrid Oyj and JAMK University of Applied Sciences. Main goals of the programs are to develop cyber security exercise services for several industrial sectors, situational awareness around cyber security, further development of RGCE cyber range (IoT and SCADA elements) and expanding of the international co-operation.
JYVSECTEC has conducted the national cyber security exercises in the years 2015 and 2016, several industrial cyber security exercises and organized numerous further education and training events. Since the autumn of 2015, the cyber security has been very popular education sector among students on both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs.
As part of the JYVSECTEC activities, the Finnish Cyber Security Certificate FINCSC has launched with the FINCSC –program.
As part of the international interoperability the RGCE cyber range has achieved the status of the Finland’s national cyber range. JAMK University of Applied Sciences is one of the founder members of the European Cyber Security Organization (ECSO).
As impact of JYVSECTEC, JYVSECTEC Center and JYVSECTEC Center RGCE –programs, the leading independent cyber security research, development and training center with a strong foothold and expertise in the international cooperation has been established as part of the JAMK University of Applied Sciences´ Institute of Information Technology. As a figure for describing the growing volume, JYVSECTEC has recruited 19 employees around cyber security during the years 2011-2016.
Writers
Tero Kokkonen
Senior Lecturer, Program manager
Aimo Pellinen
R&D Manager
