Mikko Paatero, the National Police Commissioner, urges lawmakers to consider which authority should be granted the right to sift through Internet traffic within and across the Finnish borders. In Sweden, Paatero highlights, the National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA) has been granted the mandate to monitor data communications crossing the Swedish borders by the court system. Although the Finnish Defence Forces already has some of the necessary faculties, Paatero believes the signals intelligence operations should be conducted in collaboration with the police and the Defence Forces.

“The police – being responsible for all criminal aspects and counter-terrorism, especially through the Finnish Security Intelligence Service – is at the front line of cyber-security. Of course, the Defence Forces and other authorities also take part. For an investment of this magnitude, also the expertise of the private sector must be utilised, as to my knowledge authorities alone do not have the necessary competences,” Paatero told STT. On Thursday, the Police Commissioner told Yle that the police wants the authority to sift through Internet traffic within and across Finnish borders.

HT-STT

Lehtikuva - Kalle Parkkinen