Allocating €33 million to combat cyber threats in Latvia
In a bid to enhance national security in both cyberspace and physical infrastructure, the Latvian government has unveiled a series of EU-funded projects. These initiatives, outlined in draft regulations by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, aim to safeguard national cybersecurity interests and align with the National Cybersecurity Law and related regulatory frameworks.
One of the key projects is the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center – Latvia (NCC-LV), operational since 2023. Led by the Ministry of Defense in partnership with the University of Latvia’s CERT.LV, NCC-LV is funded by the EU through the European Cybersecurity Competence Center. The project’s goal is to coordinate national cybersecurity efforts, improve incident response, and enhance cyber defense capacity.
Another significant initiative is the implementation of the EU’s NIS2 cybersecurity law. Latvia is aligning with this expanded security framework, which sets new requirements for operators of critical infrastructure and digital services. The draft regulations include compliance guidance and funding plans to meet these new standards, which emphasize risk management, incident reporting, and operational resilience.
Latvia's cybersecurity also benefits from multinational cooperation, such as the NATO-led Operation REASSURANCE and the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Task Force 2. These partnerships have recently executed a cyber surge operation, dramatically increasing Latvia's cyber defense capabilities and threat-hunting capacity.
The EU’s IRIS² program is another complementary initiative, aiming to provide secure, resilient governmental communication services via space-based infrastructure. This initiative enhances secure connectivity and digital sovereignty across the EU.
Inga Bērziņa, Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development, has stated that cybersecurity is an essential part of national security. She also emphasized that these investments affirm Latvia's status as a reliable partner in the European and NATO security landscape.
Project applicants will need to coordinate with the Ministry of Defence and CERT.LV for national cybersecurity purposes. Support will be provided to projects that are listed in the government-approved project list. The list specifies the projects that will receive support, ensuring a focused and effective approach to strengthening cybersecurity and critical infrastructure resilience in Latvia.
- The European Union's funding supports the Latvian government in enhancing its cybersecurity and physical infrastructure, with a focus on the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center – Latvia (NCC-LV) and the implementation of the EU’s NIS2 cybersecurity law.
- Operations such as NATO-led Operation REASSURANCE and the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Task Force 2 boost Latvia's cyber defense capabilities, providing crucial partnerships for strengthening national security.
- Minister Inga Bērziņa underscores the importance of cybersecurity to national security and considers these investments as a demonstration of Latvia's trustworthiness in the European and NATO security landscape.
- Secure communication services via space-based infrastructure, offered by the EU’s IRIS² program, further strengthen Latvia’s cybersecurity and bolster the EU’s digital sovereignty.
- To ensure a targeted and efficient approach, project applicants in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure resilience are advised to liaise with the Ministry of Defense and CERT.LV, adhering to the government-approved project list.
