The Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Suojelupoliisi or SUPO) warn of a highly likely intensification of cyberespionage activities conducted by Russia-linked threat actors over the winter.
According to the SUPO, future NATO membership will make the country a privileged target for Russian intelligence and influence operations.
The intelligence agency states that cyber threats to Finland’s critical infrastructure has increased in both the physical and cyber environments as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These malicious activities could potentially paralyze infrastructure operations with unpredictable consequences.
According to the report, Russia’s traditional intelligence gathering activity relied on spies with diplomatic cover, but this approach has become substantially more difficult since Russia invaded Ukraine, because many Russian diplomats have been expelled from the West.
The report pointed out that despite the Russian reactions to Finland’s NATO accession process have been restrained for the time being, and Finland was not targeted by any extraordinary influencing in the course of policymaking, the government fears an escalation of the malicious activities.
