Jorma Ala-Sankila

Major general Jorma Ala-Sankila retired from his honorable career in Finnish Defence Forces as Chief of Staff in Army Command Finland, preceding ACOS J3 (Defence Command) and Commander of Northern Command Finland. During his career Ala-Sankila served 1999 to 2001 as commander of Utti Jaeger Regiment (Special Forces and Helicopter units) and commander of Karelia Brigade from 2007 to 2010. As commandant of Finnish Defence Forces International Centre he served from 2002 to 2004. Ala-Sankila was a military attaché in Berlin (Germany, Austria and Hungary) between 2004 and 2007. He served twice overseas in in the Former Yugoslavia, first (1997) as a deputy commanding officer of Finnish Battalion in SFOR (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and second for one year as Commander of Finnish Battalion in KFOR (Kosovo) 2001 to 2002.

“From my experience fast and clear decision making is only possible by means of real-time situational awareness. Today – in multi dimensional world – we need more analyzed summaries from different walks of life.

For me Cyberwatch is a key way to learn significant milestones and examples from the complex cyber world.” 

Pekka Blomberg

Mr Pekka Blomberg (MSc Eng.) is a business leader with a focus on digitalization, security and business management. He has long history in the defence & security sector and is an experienced board member in Finnish industrial associations for defence and aerospace companies (AFDA) as well as information security companies (FISC). Pekka was a catalyst in creating the cooperation between Finnish information security industry, defence industry and the defence & security authorities. Pekka has acted as a CEO in several SME companies in software industry and has held management positions in leading technology groups Saab, Airbus and Nokia.

“Digitalization changes the way the society works, creating both opportunities and threats. My focus is on new business-, cooperation- and communication opportunities. They play a significant role in managing cyber security threats.”

Mr Aaron Boyd

As an expert in cybersecurity strategy and technology policy, Aaron Boyd provides direction to his clients in developing their worldwide operations and product offerings, including recognizing and pursuing new business relationships, areas of growth opportunity and strategic alliances. Aaron brings significant experience in international markets and brand development based on over 20 years of management with some of the world’s most recognised technology companies, having worked for Silent Circle, ABI Research, Go Daddy, Euro RSCG and clients such as Intel, Baan, FileMaker, Gartner and Toyota.

Aaron developed the Global Cybersecurity Index as a strategic partnership with the International Telecommunication Union and co-founded the ITU’s Regional Cyberdrill series. Aaron has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, an MBA in Global Business Management, and has attended post-graduate certification coursework at Peking University and Stanford.  Aaron is an Associate Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

Mr Rami Efrati

Mr. Rami Efrati, an expert in Cyber Technology Strategic Methods, is the former Head the Civilian Division of the Israel National Cyber Bureau in the Prime Minister’s Office. He is focusing on providing a unique technological approach for the security of mission-critical infrastructure sector & Internet of Things.

General (Res.) Efrati has served in the Israel Defense Forces for more than twenty eight years. He commanded numerous prestigious operational and technological positions in Military Intelligence and received the Creative Thinking Award from the Director of Military Intelligence. Mr. Efrati also has 18 years of civilian experience and has been involved in entrepreneurial activities with both start-up and established companies in the Cyber-Security, High Tech and Bio-Technology sectors.

Rami is a Senior Cyber Fellow in Yuval Ne’eman Workshop for Science, Technology and Security in Tel-Aviv University and an Associate in the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT). Mr. Efrati is an advisory board member at Securonix – an industry-leading platform for security analytics that provides advanced monitoring and threat detection capabilities.

Pasi Eronen

Mr. Pasi Eronen is an international security analyst, advisor, and writer. In his research and analysis work, he has focused on strategic cybersecurity and non-conventional adversarial strategies, also known as hybrid influencing and warfare. His additional fields of expertise include hostile foreign influence operations, and the intersection of technology and security policy. Eronen’s work has been published by a number of international outlets, including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg. He speaks regularly at regional events and major international conferences. Eronen’s professional career includes stints with the Finnish defense establishment and governmental organizations dedicated to comprehensive security and hybrid threats. He is a Finnish Defence Forces reserve officer, and he has served in crisis management missions both as a soldier and civilian for example with NATO and the EU. Eronen earned a master’s degree in Security Studies from Georgetown University, and a master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Joensuu in Finland.

Timo Hellenberg

Timo Hellenberg, (Dr.Pol. Sc., M.Sc.Econ.) is a CEO and founder of Hellenberg International Ltd and CEO of Hellenberg HK Limited. He has served as a Special Adviser (EU and Foreign Affairs) to  Prime Minister. He has 25 years of academic and crisis management researcher incl. at the United Nations (DRD).

Timo´s recent assignments include: Project Director: Poseidon – Preventing Terrorism (2007-2008, EU DG JHL), Project Director: Aether – Air Passenger Transport Security in Case of CBRN Threat by Terrorists (2009-2011, EU DG JHL), Project Partner: Analysis of Civil Security Systems in Europe (2012-2014, DG Enterprise), Project Partner: Project Mappers – Mobile Applications for Emergency Response and Support (2013-2015, Civil Protection Directorate), Project Partner: RAIN – Risk Analysis of Infrastructure Networks of Extreme Weather Events (2014-2017, FP7), Project Consultant: Critical Infrastructure Resilience Index (2016, Finnish Ministry of Defence, MATINE), Project Partner: Towards an Arctic Business Possibilities Strategy (2016-2017, Government Council of Finland), Co-organiser: Standing Working Group of Experts from the United States and Russia; “Workshop on the convergence of violent extremism and radiological security” Helsinki  (Dec. 2018, NAS), Project Partner: Mall-CBRN, Creation of CBRNE protection system for large area shopping malls (2019-2021, ISFP), Project Partner Crispro Knowledge Network (2020-2022, DG ECHO), Project Partner: Prosperes – Protection System for large gatherings of People in Religious Sites (2021-2023, ISFP).

He is a board member of the Paasikivi Society (since 2003-); Board member of the Geopolitical Society of Finland (2015-); Member of the Finnish-Russian Scientific and Technical Committee (1997-); Member of the European Security Research and Innovation Forum (ESRIF); Founder of the CIVPRO Civil Protection Network, Board Member of the Baltic Civil Defence Network (2020-), Senior Expert at the International Market Analysis (Washington DC) (2015-), Member of the Advisory Board of the Cyberwatch Oy Ltd (2018-).

Petteri Järvinen

Petteri Järvinen has been following the development of IT since the beginning of 1980´s. He has wide experience working in ICT, from large IT-companies and telecommunication operator to technology start-ups and as an entrepreneur.  Järvinen has published over 30 ICT related books. Most resent publications covers information and cyber security and information privacy. Currently Järvinen works as an independent consult, public speaker and writer.

Martti Kari

Martti J Kari is university teacher and PhD student of cyber security in Jyväskylä University, Finland. He retired as colonel from Finnish Defense Intelligence in the end of year 2017. He has served in military intelligence since 1988. He served three years as defence attache in Poland and Ukraine and as the deputy director and director of Finnish Intelligence Research Establishment (FIRE). His last post was Assistant Chief of Defense Intelligence. He has MA in Russian language (1993) and literature and MA in cyber security (2017) in Jyväskylä University. Kari has worked as a university teacher from the beginning of year 2018 In Jyväskylä University. He is specialized in Intelligence Legislation, Russian cyber and hybrid warfare and Russian strategic thinking.

Kimmo Kaski

Kimmo Kaski is Professor of Computational Science, Aalto University School of Science (1996-), Supernumerary Fellow,
Wolfson College of Oxford University (2001-) and Associate Fellow, Said Business School of Oxford University (2014-), Visiting Professor, Physics Department, Northeastern University (2014-), External Faculty, Complexity Science Hub Vienna (2017-), Visiting Fellow, The Alan Turing Institute (2018-). Master of Science (MSc) (1973), in Electron Physics, Helsinki University of Technology (HUT); Licentiate in Technology (1977), in Electron Physics, HUT; Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.) (1981), in Theoretical Physics, Oxford University; Adjunct Professor in Physics (1984-), Department of Physics, Jyväskylä University; Associate Professor (Microelectronics) (1985-86), Temple University, Philadelphia (tenured); Professor in Microelectronics (1987-96), Tampere University of Technology (tenured); Professor in Computational Science (1996-), HUT and Aalto University, (tenured, current position); Academy Professor (1996-2001 & 2001-06) in Computational Science, Academy of Finland.

Mika Kerttunen

D.Soc.Sc Mika Kerttunen, LTC (ret. FI A), is Founding Director of the Cyber Policy Institute and the CPI lead expert on national cybersecurity strategies and military doctrines. He is Senior Research Scientist Tallinn University of Technology, and Adjunct Professor Military Strategy at the Finnish National Defence University. Dr. Kerttunen served as advisor to the Finnish expert at the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security (2016-2017). Mika, together with Eneken, has frequently contributed to regional capacity-building events in the ASEAN region and in Africa.

Kenneth Lampinen

Kenneth has 20+ years of experience working in technology for diverse companies, from Fortune 100 companies to global technology start-ups. His background includes roles in executive management, strategy, marketing, product management and communications. Kenneth utilizes this broad experience to deliver unique insights into the strategic impact of cyber security on various aspects of an organization. Kenneth studied economics at the University of Washington and cyber security at the University of Jyväskylä.

Martti Lehto

Dr. Martti Lehto, (Military Sciences), Col (GS) (ret.) works as a Cyber security professor in the University of Jyväskylä in the Faculty of Information Technology. He has over 30 years’ experience as developer and leader of C4ISR Systems in Finnish Defence Forces. Now he is a Cyber security and Cyber defence researcher and teacher and the pedagogical director of the Cyber Security MSc. program. He is also Adjunct professor in National Defence University in Air and Cyber Warfare. He has over 100 publications, research reports and articles on the areas of C4ISR systems, cyber security and defence, information warfare, air power and defence policy. Since 2001 he has been the Editor-in-Chief of the Military Magazine

“The development of strategic cyber situational awareness requires the ability to produce analyzed information about the events in cyberspace and thus create the required situational awareness.”

Jarno Limnéll

Jarno Limnéll is Professor of Cybersecurity at Aalto University, Finland, and an adjunct professor in three other Finnish universities. He also works for a privatecompany. He has been working with security issues for over 20 years, and has a profound understanding of the global threat landscape, combined with the courage to address the most complex issues. Professor Limnéll has published a comprehensive list of works on security issues.

“It is increasingly important that we understand what is happening in the cyber domain and how different s trends are affecting to our activities. Cyberwatch provides an excellent strategic situational awareness reviews and I strongly recommend it.”

Dr. Christina Schori

Dr. Christina Schori Liang is a Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). She leads the Terrorism and Organised Crime Cluster at the GCSP.

Dr. Liang  designs and directs courses on Preventing Violent Extremism and on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: Addressing the Challenges Posed by the Presence of Non-State Armed Groups and contributes to GCSP’s Track Two diplomacy and dialogue events. From 2012-2016, she served as Co-Director and later as Director of GCSP’s New Issues in Security Course. 

Dr. Liang was editor of Europe for the Europeans: The Foreign and Security Policy of the Populist Radical Right and has contributed to the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Global Terrorism Index Reports. Dr. Liang has given academic and policy-related presentations in over 25 countries. She is an active member of the UN’s Global Counter Terrorism Research Network and advises the UN Security Council’s 1267 Committee on terrorist financing. Dr. Liang has testified for the US National Intelligence Council, the US State Department, the European Commission, and the European Forum for Urban Security and has given multiple presentations for the NATO Defense College in Rome and the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna. Dr Liang is a Steering Group Member of the RESOLVE Network, a member of the Global Solutions Exchange (GSX), and a global expert for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

Dr. Liang was an Adjunct Faculty member for Boston University from 2008-2013 and is currently a Professor at the Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po, Paris. She holds a doctorate in International Relations and an MA in History and International Politics from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland.

Harri Sundvik

Harri Sundvik joined the Cyberwatch Advisory Board in summer 2021. He has 30 year background in international investment banking work with focus on mergers and acquisitions and capital raising. Harri worked for JPMorgan in the City of London from 1988 till 2006, and subsequently for Bank of America Merrill Lynch as Vice Chairman running the bank’s Northern European business. Harri has worked as an advisor for a number of technology transactions, many of them in the cybersecurity space. Following his full time banking years, Harri has worked as an independent advisor for a number of technology companies in their corporate finance initiatives. Harri lives in London and he is both Finnish and British national.

Dr. Eneken Tikk

D.Jur. Eneken Tikk is Founder Cyber Policy Institute and the CPI lead expert cyber power studies. She is Senior Research Scientist at the Department of Software Science, Tallinn University of Technology. Dr. Tikk has been advisor at three consecutive Estonian delegations to the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Information security and provided strategic and legal advice to several other governments on international cyber engagement. Eneken is the author of the landmark article “Ten Rules for Cyber Security” (Survival 53, 2011) and the editor and lead author of UN ODA Voluntary, Non-Binding Norms for Responsible State Behaviour in the Use of Information and Communications Technology: A Commentary, and together with Mika Kerttunen, a co-editor of Routledge Handbook of International Cybersecurity (forthcoming autumn 2019).

Heikki Välivehmas

Brigadier General (ret.) Heikki’s more than 30 year experience in Finnish Defence Forces includes a wide range of positions from strategic planning to commands. During the last years in service he dealt a lot with public and private comprehensive security and comprehensive defence issues. “Relevancy of cyber security has widely embraced among public and private sectors as a vital capability to ensure continuity of activities, services and businesses. Understanding the current and future threats is the basis for the cyber security. Cyberwatch Finland realizes products that help customers in the starting point of resilience building process – situational awareness.”