The National Information Technology Security Council determines the development of cyber security policy at a national level: the development of cyber security policy and planning and implementation of objectives and measures. It is the central national authority for the exchange of information and co-operation between the public and private sectors.

The centralised model used for implementation and monitoring involves different government departments and national entities.

Implementation and monitoring also falls under objective 1 of the strategy: improve mechanisms of implementation and monitoring of security requirements for electronic communication operations. 

• Developing academic studies and research in cyber security, to train experts, promote innovation.
• Improving the general knowledge in regards to the aspects of ICT security.

Latvia is increasing its capacity to provide qualitative training and education in the field of cyber security. The Government of the Republic of Latvia has approved cyber security as one of the research priorities in science. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the National Armed Forces (NAF), national CSIRTs and other ICT experts, are working on guidelines for higher education programmes in the field of cyber security.
The annual E-skills week, organised in March, is a campaign that informs the public about the various created e-possibilities as well as aspects of security. In 2017, more than 150 associates – ICT companies, ministries, municipalities, schools, libraries and non-governmental organisations throughout Latvia - actively participated in the organisation of the event. In total, more than 10,000 individuals and entrepreneurs participated in more than 500 public events.

• BA School of Business Finance – Professional Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity Management Year established: 2015. Student Intake: 100. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS): 120. Focus: System security, network security, component security, SW security; Organisational, risk management, business, compliance disciplines. Preparation for professional certification: Based on CISM certification.
• Vidzema University of Applied Sciences – Master Degree in Cybersecurity Engineering. Year established: 2018. Student Intake: 15. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS): 120. Focus:  Training future professionals that will handle the security of information systems, preventing cyber-attacks and security incidents, carrying out risk analysis and security measures to mitigate threats in workplace or external clients.  Partners include CERT.LV; Ministry of Defence. Exchange programmes: Erasmus+; Nordplus.

In 2013, the Ministry of Defence invited the private sector to develop closer co-operation by forming a dedicated Cyber Defence Unit in the National Guard. The main function of the unit is to provide a support to the institution dealing with information technology security incident response CERT.LV and the units of Armed Forces to prevent information technology security incidents in conflict situations in case the resources of CERT.LV are insufficient.

The CYBERWISER.eu CyPR is all about boosting opportunities in the cybersecurity marketplace. 

This European Cybersecurity Professional Register is the place where professionals, juniors or seniors, age can promote their specific skill sets and experiences in cybersecurity, courses taken and qualifications.

Organisations of any size or sector from SMEs to large companies and public institutions can find and contact the right skills and experiences they need to improve their IT security posture.

January 2021.

The information contained here is based on desk research carried out by CYBERWISER.eu, including the ENISA interactive maps on national strategies and educational courses. 

The Latvian Computer Emergency Response Team - CERT.LV is responsible for monitoring and analysing developments in cyberspace, reacting to incidents and coordinating incident prevention. It also carries out reseach, organises educational events and training, and also supervises the implementation of obligations defined in the Law on Security Information. 

Under the strategy, CERT.LV is expected to develop resources with the public and private sectors for collecting intelligence on incidents for analysis and evaluation. The strategy also calls for improving CERT.LV's ability to observe, analyse and prevent IT security incidents; co-operate with NATO and EU partners on information exchange; develop CERT.LV resources and competences to perform centralised security tests. 

The strategy also calls for improved coordination between the owners of critical infrastructures, CERT.LV and state institutions dealing with security. The goal is to improve the exchange of information and experiences about cyber incidents. 

From a legal perspective, implementing the strategy requires assessing and building on existing capacities in cybercrime investigations, including improved co-operation with CERT.LV. 

CERT.LV is a member of the international forum on cyber security, FIRST, and accredited by Trusted Introducer.  

CERT.LV 

Report an incident, Team Email: cert@cert.lv
Report SPAM cases, Team Email: abuse@cert.lv
Telephone: +371 67085888 (reporting - 24x7, CERT.LV working hours - working days 9:00 to 18:00)

CERT.LV provides information about different cyber incidents and their priority status. 

Most of its news update focus on cybersecurity events.

January 2021.

The information contained here is the result of desk research carried out by CYBERWISER.eu.