LIVING LAB FOR DIGITAL BORDER SECURITY @JOENSUU
Significant development work is currently being done in Joensuu, in the field of digital border security, offering numerous business opportunities for companies both in Finland and internationally. Among NATO countries, Finland shares the longest border with Russia (1,343 km), and Joensuu is located just 60 km from this border. The proximity to the border creates unique challenges, but it also offers exceptional opportunities for companies. The region’s location near the border makes Joensuu strategically important, particularly from a cybersecurity perspective, and it provides a Living Lab environment where companies can test future technological solutions in a real-world setting. We are committed to investing even more in this unique testing environment, and we are actively seeking potential partners and companies to collaborate with.
New Business Opportunities for Companies
The importance of digital border security for businesses is enormous. Secure digital solutions support the operations of local companies and create a competitive edge, particularly for SMEs. Investing in cybersecurity can also attract new investments and companies to the region, strengthening the vitality of North Karelia and boosting economic activity. It is also important to remember that the Joensuu-Russia border is just one of many borders around the world: when a company succeeds in developing a new technological solution, export opportunities to other global borders are wide open!
In Joensuu, the proximity to the border is viewed as an opportunity for companies to develop new technologies. We are currently building a digital border security ecosystem, and we warmly welcome companies from outside the region to join us. We approach collaboration with an open mind, crossing industry and regional boundaries. Our region is home to strong anchor companies and growing start-ups, many of which have already expressed interest in being part of this development. Among the external players, for instance, Cyberwatch Finland is already actively supporting the development of our region. Together, we can achieve something that no individual company could accomplish alone!
Strong Educational Environment and RDI Activities
The development work is strongly supported by the University of Eastern Finland and Karelia University of Applied Sciences. They also benefit from the proximity to the border and can focus on developing specialized expertise in cybersecurity. This opens doors to new forms of collaboration with both national and international players, creating jobs and attracting talent to the region. The University of Eastern Finland’s strong research and educational focus on photonics and artificial intelligence is evident in the Joensuu region, as seen in the abundance of talent across all levels of education, including PhDs, Master’s, Engineers (DI), and Bachelor's graduates. This is also reflected in RDI-intensive companies such as Dispelix Oy, Seetrue Technologies Oy, and Marginum Oy. The annual number of graduates in Computer Science is approximately 10 PhDs, 60 Master's/Engineers (DI), and 60 Bachelor's, ensuring a wide talent pool for all RDI-related roles for companies in the region.
Contact Us:
If you would like to learn more about this unique opportunity, we will also be attending the Cyber Security Nordic event. Feel free to contact us for further discussion:
Business Joensuu / Mervi Huttunen, Tel. +358 50 408 9189
Also, join us at the Borderland – Security Eastern Finland event on November 19, 2024. Read more and register here: Borderland - Securing the Future. Security Eastern Finland event 19. Nov 2024
