The Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur and the Director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), Dr Mart Noorma laid the cornerstone for the new building of the CCDCOE in Tallinn. The new building will create modern opportunities for the daily work of cyber experts of CCDCOE member states. The Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (RKIK) and the construction company Nordlin Ehitus signed the contract for the construction of the building at a total cost of 6.2 million euros.
“Cyber threats have become more and more complex over time and strongly affect both the private and public sectors. The war in Ukraine shows that cyber security is clearly integrated into modern warfare and the role of international cooperation with Allies is increasingly necessary, which is why the construction of the new building is of significant importance,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.
Located in Tallinn, the CCDCOE has grown into the largest NATO Center of Excellence. 28 NATO countries have already joined the center, with Albania and North Macedonia currently in the process of joining. With the additional 9 likeminded member states that are not in NATO, the total number of member states to has grown to 39.
“For 15 years, the CCDCOE has contributed to the development of cooperation between its member states in the area of cyber security. Since the number of experts working in the center is constantly growing, we are very happy about the start of the construction of a new building to support this growing capacity,” said Mart Noorma, Director of the CCDCOE.
“At the moment, as the CCDCOE is located at Filtri 12 together with the Cyber Command of the Estonian Defence Forces, the existing premises have become insufficient for them, and this affects the process of receiving international experts. We are happy that with the construction of the new building, our experts in the cyber domain will have modern conditions to ensure cyber security,” said Nele Gerberson, RKIK’s northern portfolio manager.
The new building will have three floors and will include offices, meeting rooms and also a conference hall. The premises of the Cyber Command of the Estonian Defense Forces will also be partially located in the building.
The new building will be completed by the end of 2023.