NATO CCDCOE and Tallinn University of Technology Will Strengthen Cooperation

NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) and Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) have signed an agreement to strengthen strategic cooperation in research, education and exercises. The parties expect this partnership to increase the international research capacity of both organisations.

„As an active international cyber operations hub we rely on strong partnerhships with the academia. We are glad to establish a more solid and mutually beneficial framework with the Tallinn University of Technology for the various initiatives we have in plan for the years to come,“ said Merle Maigre, Director of the NATO CCDCOE. „This agreement adds value for our staff members in particular. They can combine their work at the Centre with pursuing an academic degree or teaching experience,“ added Maigre.

According to the agreement both organisations will actively look for joint research activities and possibilities for involving the researchers in their research projects. CCDCOE staff members with PhD potential are encouraged to enroll in the PhD program at the Tallinn University of Technology during their time in Estonia.

„For us this cooperation is of strategic importance. TalTech has recently launched an initiative – TalTechDigital – which aims at radically transforming the univeristy making use of modern digital technologies. Cyber security and defence is one of our academic spearheads and CCDCOE is the most important partner in this endeavour,“ said Jaak Aaviksoo, Rector of Tallinn University of Technology.

Tallinn University of Technology is introducing a new programme this summer – industrial PhD with the main purpose to advance Estonian economy and especially cooperation with IT sector. The programme aims to advance Estonian economy and solve current problems with R&D.

„The tidal wave of technology opens new opportunities, but also makes skills obsolete more quickly. Therefore, facilitating training and education truly builds human capital and equips us for the future,“ emphasized Merle Maigre.

In addition the partners will cooperate in the preparation and execution of cyber defence exercises, publication of scientific papers, accessing academic databases, lecturing and internships.

Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), the only technological university in Estonia, is the flagship of Estonian engineering and technology education. Study and teaching is based on internationally recognized research and the graduates are highly rated on the labour market. The university incorporates 700 lecturers and more than 500 scholars, while the number of TalTech alumni is close to 70,000. The TalTech campus, which expands 50 hectares, consists of 72 buildings. The students are offered exciting student and cultural experiences, and the university’s accommodation and sporting facilities are among the best in Northern Europe.

NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence is a Tallinn-based knowledge hub, research institution, and training and exercise centre. The international military organisation is a community of currently 20 nations providing a 360-degree look at cyber defence, with expertise in the areas of technology, strategy, operations and law. NATO CCD COE is home of the Tallinn Manual 2.0, the most comprehensive guide on how International Law applies to cyber operations. The Centre also organises the world’s largest and most complex international technical live-fire cyber defence exercise Locked Shields. Another highlight of the Centre is the International Conference on Cyber Conflict, CyCon, a unique event joining key experts and decision-makers of the global cyber defence community in Tallinn.