Last year, RIA recorded a record 10,185 cyber incidents in Estonia, the majority of which were various types of fraud and phishing scams. For this reason, this year’s Cyber Accelerator is placing greater emphasis on solutions that combat cyber fraud and support society’s resilience to this rapidly growing problem. ‘We cannot rely on future technologies in the hope that, at some point in the distant future, artificial intelligence might suddenly neutralise all such threats on its own,’ said Lauri Tankler, Head of the R&D Coordination Department at RIA. ‘There is currently a clear need in society for innovative, effective, user-friendly, and affordable cyber security products and services.’
However, fraud and social manipulation are not the only problems for which solutions can be submitted to the Cyber Accelerator. ‘The automation of cyber security, the use of artificial intelligence for security purposes, the development of quantum computing-resistant solutions, and other security issues relating to future technologies remain on RIA’s radar. We are particularly keen to see solutions that have emerged from research and universities,’ said Tankler.
The Cyber Accelerator focuses on helping early-stage companies develop their solution into a market-ready product or service. Throughout the programme, teams are provided support in product development, market validation, and building business capabilities, as well as in preparing to raise seed capital.
Previous rounds of the Cyber Accelerator programme have included, among others, PhishBite, which is developing a phishing simulation solution; TrustOps, which is developing a software compliance automation solution; ScamGuardian.ai, which helps companies in the telecommunications and financial sectors to prevent and block fraud schemes; and Complok, which is developing a risk management platform for the financial sector.
Anne-Liisa Elbrecht, Head of the Tehnopol Startup Incubator, said that cyber security is no longer a matter confined to a single sector, but rather the foundation of business and societal continuity. ‘In the field of cyber security, isolated fixes or slow solutions are no longer enough – businesses need smart tools that help them prevent risks, respond to them quickly, and operate securely in an increasingly complex digital environment. The aim of the Cyber Accelerator is to help such solutions reach the market more quickly. The role of Tehnopol is to give teams access to knowledge, mentors, and a network that can help them turn a technologically strong idea into a business with international potential,’ said Elbrecht. According to her, cyber security is increasingly seen as a matter of defence capability, as the functioning of the state, businesses, and individuals depends on digital infrastructure, the reliability and security of which are of critical importance both in everyday life and in crises.
The Cyber Accelerator is being held in collaboration between Tehnopol and RIA for the fourth time. Applications are open until 21 June; further information can be found on the website startupincubator.ee/en/cyberaccelerator/.
The Cyber Accelerator is co-funded by the European Union’s Digital Europe programme and the European Cyber Competence Centre.
