Taavi Kupper is the new head of the Incident Response Department of RIA

Taavi Kupper is the new head of the Incident Response Department of RIA
Photo: RIA

Joonas Heiter, Director General of RIA, emphasised that the digital services of the country must operate under all circumstances, and to guarantee that, cybersecurity must be addressed in day-to-day work as well as in a broader strategic context. ‘Veikko and I share a common understanding of the challenges and solutions related to the continuity of the IT systems of the state. However, it is not sustainable for the head of CERT-EE to be responsible for both the ongoing management and the strategic big picture at the same time. Veikko has invaluable experience in leading CERT-EE, strong contacts both in Estonia and abroad, and the ability to connect technical knowledge with the everyday needs of people. Therefore, we jointly agreed that the best solution is to give Veikko the role of an architect, whose task is to oversee the processes of RIA and the National Cyber Security Centre as a whole, and to look for smarter solutions that ensure service quality and long-term value for users,’ Heiter explained.

Veikko’s move to this new position meant that CERT-EE needed a new leader who combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, and international experience. ‘Taavi Kupper already stood out in a previous RIA recruitment process for his clear leadership style and vision. He is not unfamiliar to us, as Taavi has been a key partner to RIA in cooperation with the Cyber Command, participated in our crisis exercises, and contributed to the joint efforts of ensuring cybersecurity through the cyber reserve. So, when the need arose to find a new head for CERT-EE, it felt like a natural step to turn to Taavi,’ said Heiter.