How is cybersecurity perceived at Finland's eastern border? Finland’s EDIHs represented together at SOHJO
All of Finland’s EDIHs participated in the SOHJO 2025 event, which brought together experts from the ICT sector, creative industries, and regional developers. The event focused on a key topic for Finland’s EDIHs: improving cybersecurity and networking opportunities in the field of security services.
Anna Lundén 28.3.2025
The four Finnish EDIH hubs (FAIR EDIH, Location Innovation Hub, HealthHub Finland EDIH, and Robocoast EDIH) joined forces and headed to Eastern Finland with the aim of expanding the innovation hubs’ networks and connections to the eastern part of Finland.
The event was an excellent opportunity for EDIH experts and local operators to network and share information on developing business and security through new digital solutions in Eastern Finland, an area full of growth potential, particularly concerning security issues and cybersecurity.
The goal of the EDIHs is to help local businesses adopt new digital solutions, and events like SOHJO enable the sharing of practical tips and ideas.
Cybersecurity Improvement Tips – EDIHs’ Side Event Brought Security Experts Together
As part of SOHJO’s official program, the EDIHs hosted a cybersecurity-related event “Cybersecurity Improvement Tips” at Restaurant Torero in Joensuu. Experts from the security sector and Joensuu city’s security professionals participated in the event.
Ville Leinonen, the city’s Security Manager, spoke about the city’s readiness forum and how cybersecurity has become a shared responsibility in Joensuu. Leinonen emphasized that cybersecurity is no longer solely the responsibility of IT experts but must be worked on across all sectors.
He also stressed that businesses must be involved in discussing security issues, as private service providers play a key role when public offerings are no longer enough. Cybersecurity should be integrated into all business and development activities.
Head of Digital Defence Ecosystem, Jarmo Puputti, emphasized the importance of openness in ecosystems and the role of collaboration in building trust. Security and defense issues have now become everyone’s concern, which is evident in the disappearing line between civil and defense technologies.
Puputti stressed the importance of internationalization and the role of knowledge sharing in ecosystems so that companies can develop collaboration and share information effectively on security issues.
The event also provided an opportunity to hear about current perspectives from EDIHs on how cybersecurity can be improved both municipally and privately. “The activities of European Digital Innovation Hubs are still unfamiliar to most, and it is easiest to tell companies about them face-to-face.
Therefore, events like SOHJO with side events are excellent opportunities to convey the services funded by the EU and available free of charge to companies in Finland,” reflected Essi Vanha-Viitakoski from Robocoast EDIH during the event
Security Issues Require Proactive Anticipation
The SOHJO 2025 main event brought together local businesses, experts, and decision-makers with the aim of promoting smart and sustainable development and creating new innovations across Finland. Speakers such as Meeri Koutaniemi and Kim Väisänen reminded participants of the importance of encounters and the lessons of failure in the business world.
The event also addressed cybercrime and its emerging threats, such as AI-enabled financial frauds, which Michael Roberts, a cybercrime investigator from Singforce, discussed in his speech. The disruption of learning through AI’s increasing role in educational methods was also discussed in Ulla-Maaria Koivula’s presentation on Silicon Valley to Karelia.
At SOHJO, there was also a very interesting panel discussion on the rise of hybrid attacks and cybersecurity threats, especially in the Eastern European region. Hybrid threats extend beyond cyberattacks, impacting public opinion and creating physical damage. Experts such as Michel Roberts (Stingforce), Anett Nume (Cybersecurity Expert, Estonia), Jarmo Puputti (Ecosystem Lean Digital Defence Ecosystem), Eero Järvenpää (Lähitapiola), and Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen (CEO of FIBAN) discussed the increasing cyberattacks in Eastern Europe, which statistically occur more than ever before in history.
Private companies are often the first targets, so they have a special responsibility to develop their resilience and train their staff against new threats. It is also important to understand in advance how to react to threatening situations and to strengthen media literacy and the ability to recognize fake news. Companies should anticipate challenging situations, not just react when the pressure is on.
SOHJO impressed with its diverse program and networking opportunities
In general, discussions at SOHJO highlighted the importance of security across all sectors, the role of private companies in developing resilience, and the need for proactive action to prevent cyber threats and disinformation.
The EDIHs were particularly pleased with SOHJO’s exciting and meaningful speaker lineup, as well as the opportunity to discuss the event’s themes and the services offered by EDIHs with new companies and experts. SOHJO provided an excellent platform to showcase the services of European innovation hubs and the opportunities they offer to support companies on their digitalization journey.
“Sohjo was a great example of the innovation and willingness to collaborate among Eastern Finnish actors. It is wonderful to see how local companies are ready to share their ideas and collaborate for mutual success. The active role of the local government should also be acknowledged. I hope SOHJO has a secured future as it offers a valuable forum for networking and developing new ideas and collaborations,” said Anniina Lundvall, Communication Manager at Location Innovation Hub.
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