Synergies between Civil Protection and Homeland Security at the heart of the Niinistö report

We chose to highlight this report because it underscores the urgent need to strengthen synergies between civil and internal security. As defence budgets rise across Europe, the document calls for pooling certain resources, particularly technological ones, to better prepare armies, law enforcement, and emergency services for the cascading effects of a geopolitical crisis. In times of conflict, delivering water and food becomes a challenge, hospitals are under strain, and disinformation spreads rapidly... 

An “all-hazards, all-threats” approach to EU preparedness 

The Niinistö report, officially titled "Safer Together – Strengthening Europe's Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness," was authored by Sauli Niinistö, former President of Finland and special advisor to the President of the European Commission. Presented to Ursula von der Leyen on October 30, 2024, the report addresses the multifaceted challenges confronting Europe and sets out a vision for a more resilient and crisis-ready Union. 

On page 26, the report highlights the urgent need to reinforce dual-use research and defence innovation within the EU. This is vital to ensure Europe does not fall further behind global leaders, which could undermine its long-term strategic interests. By enhancing collaboration between defence and civil security sectors, Europe can make more efficient use of its limited resources. 

This approach is relevant not just within the EU, but internationally. Coordinated systems that bridge defence and civilian efforts by leveraging mobile networks can create unified and effective crisis management responses. 

• Civil Protection: Mobile networks are essential tools for crisis management, offering real-time data to track evolving threats, ranging from natural disasters to terrorist attacks, and enabling faster, more effective responses. Cross-border cooperation further strengthens these capabilities by improving shared situational awareness. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the crucial role of private sector involvement in bolstering the resilience and interoperability of critical infrastructure. Partnerships were essential for vaccine development and distribution. Likewise, the war in Ukraine demonstrates that sustaining vital services like telecommunications, healthcare and energy is just as important as military support. 

• Homeland Security: The report calls for harmonized legislation to facilitate swift data access and lawful intelligence activities, while also advocating for clear legal frameworks that balance security imperatives with privacy rights. 

Reliable mobile networks are fundamental to maintaining connectivity and the continuity of essential services during emergencies. At Intersec, we support telecom operators in working closely with governments to establish unified crisis response protocols, including secure information sharing and precise geolocation, while upholding citizens’ data privacy, a cornerstone of EU sovereignty.

The role of telecom regulators in public-private cooperation 

Telecommunications regulators are pivotal in bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. By acting as mediators and facilitators, they enable effective coordination among stakeholders.  

One practical approach is the implementation of a national mediation and orchestration layer for telecom operators, which provides critical applications to ministries such as civil protection or intelligence. This platform approach unlocks nationwide use cases, consolidates investments, optimizes resource allocation, and strengthens the synergy between civil and internal security. By fostering dialogue between telecom operators and governments, such initiatives build trust and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of vital services, especially during crises. 

As challenges related to public safety, crime, and geopolitical tensions intensify, the role of telecom operators in protecting national interests will only grow. Strong, transparent partnerships between operators and governments, built on trust, information sharing, regulatory harmonization, and technological innovation, are essential for a secure and prosperous future. With our national orchestration platform and comprehensive application suite, we are committed to supporting operators, governments, and regulators as they advance their digital transformation agendas. Do not hesitate to contact our team should you need any assistance; we are here to support you.