Cybersecurity for increased competitiveness

Digitization has become necessary for businesses in all areas of society, so cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important. Sweden is far ahead in international comparison when it comes to digitalisation. But there is a gap between

this leading position and the fact that we lag behind other countries regarding our ability to protect ourselves against cyber threats.

This gap must be closed if Sweden is to benefit from the full benefits of digitalisation. Different actors are attacking our society daily. To counter them requires both cutting-edge technology and organisational efficiency. It also requires a broad knowledge among decision-makers in business and the public sector about cyber threats and the means to deal with them.

The Cybersecurity for Competitiveness project aims to contribute to a broad and nuanced discussion on the importance of a solid and coordinated effort to strengthen Sweden's cyber security. The project started in 2021 and runs until June 2023. This report is part of this work.

Our focus is on how the level of Sweden's cybersecurity affects the competitiveness of Swedish businesses and society at large. We also put forward proposals whose common denominator is that they will contribute to more effective cybersecurity in business and government.

IVA's strength as an independent actor is to engage individuals' expertise and experience in the areas the Academy works. Around fifty people have participated in the workshops and seminars conducted by the project as well as in the three working groups working on cybersecurity from different perspectives. The report's analysis and proposals are primarily based on the documents of the working groups. However, the Steering Group alone is responsible for the report's content.