Threat assessments for the year set out
News story | Date: 12/02/2022 | Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice and Public Security
Today the Norwegian Intelligence Service, the Norwegian Police Security Service and the National Security Authority presented their public threat and risk assessments for 2022.
– Our national security interests are being challenged both directly and indirectly across all sectors and areas of society. It is essential that as many people as possible are aware of the threats posed to our security. These unclassified assessments from the intelligence and security services will help in this regard,’ says Minister of Defence, Odd Roger Enoksen.
– The threat and risk assessment being presented today makes it clear that we must work even more closely together if we are to protect our shared values. This is why I want to call attention to our essential cooperation with the intelligence and security service, the partnership between military and civilian stakeholders, and public-private partnerships,’ says Emilie Enger Mehl, Minister of Justice and Public Security.
The Ministers of Defence and of Justice and Public Security opened the press conference. Subsequently, Rear Admiral Nils Andreas Stensønes (head of the Norwegian Intelligence Service), Hans Sverre Sjøvold (head of the Norwegian Police Security Service) and Sofie Nystrøm (Director General of the Norwegian National Security Authority) presented their assessments on present-day security challenges.
A challenging security situation
The threat assessments set out an overall situation that is both complex and unpredictable.
– Norway faces a demanding and unprecedented security situation. Current hostilities between major global powers are leaving their mark on our surroundings. As a small state, Norway is in an exposed position, and our competitive industrial sector and business expertise are of interest to others. We live in one of the world’s most digitalised societies, which makes us vulnerable. By adopting long-term strategies – through so-called complex or hybrid threats – foreign powers such as Russia and China are seeking to alter the international status quo in terms of security. This situation requires clear and decisive action from both the authorities and organisations in the public and private sectors,’ says Odd Roger Enoksen, Minister of Defence.
Emile Enger Mehl, Minister of Justice and Public Security, adds:
– I would encourage everyone – especially businesses – to familiarise themselves with PST and NSM’s threat and risk assessments. These provide people and businesses with a good basis from which to analyse their own risks and to assess appropriate preventative measures.’
Reports from the EOS services
The Norwegian Intelligence Service’s report ‘Fokus 2022’ describes circumstances beyond Norway’s borders that are having an impact on our own national security interests. Read it here (in Norwegian)
The Norwegian Police Security Service’s threat assessment examines domestic threats in Norway. Read it here.
The Norwegian National Security Authority’s report ‘Risiko 2022’ assesses risks related to those of our values that can be protected in light of the threats set out by the Norwegian Intelligence Service and the Norwegian Policy Security Service. Read it here (in Norwegian)
These reports provide an important foundation for how the authorities, as well as public and private sector organisations, should work in the time to come in order to strengthen national security.