Cyber Range: the test bed for digital security – Sweden

Digital services have become crucial for both business and the public sector, bringing huge benefits. At the same time, our vulnerability to cyber threats and attacks is increasing. In 2019, the Cyber Range was inaugurated at RISE, a facility and testbed for digital security where companies and organisations can test their digital systems in a controlled environment to identify weaknesses before the systems are implemented.

Sweden’s first cybersecurity testing and demo environment is located in Kista. Rise Cyber Range is aimed at companies and the public sector and is funded and supported by Vinnova and ICT Sweden. Minister of Economic Affairs Ibrahim Baylan, Director General of Vinnova Darja Isaksson and RISE CEO Pia Sandvik and others participated in the inauguration.

Pia Sandvik, CEO of RISE, believes that Sweden has a strong position when it comes to digitalisation and that Swedes are among the most tech-savvy in the world. In order to translate this into enhanced competitiveness and an efficient public administration, we also need to be particularly good at cybersecurity. Here, RISE and their new Cyber Range can make a big difference, as they have the skills and resources to help businesses and organisations.

The initial project ran from September 2019 to August 2023. The Cyber Range has since continued to operate as a permanent infrastructure within RISE's Center for Cybersecurity. Watch the film about the project here!

About the Cyber Range

Cyber Range is a permanent test bed operated by RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), which offers a controlled virtual environment to develop and ensure stable and secure IT systems. Companies and organisations can test new components in their systems to identify weaknesses and ensure that both technology and organizational routines work optimally.

The target group of RISE Cyber Range includes both industry and the public sector. Small and medium-sized enterprises, which often lack their own resources and infrastructure to carry out such tests, can benefit greatly from this. The facility in Kista makes it easier to provide cybersecurity testing and demo environments to customers and partners. In addition, it serves as a place for skills development and training, where expertise is readily available.

RISE's cybersecurity team consists of a core group of around 20 people, as well as additional experts in various areas of activity such as transport, health and digital infrastructure. This combination of technology and domain experts creates great opportunities for development and collaboration.

What is included

Cyber Range offers a range of cybersecurity services and resources to help companies and organisations ensure that their digital systems are secure and protected against threats. Here are some of the most important services that Cyber Range offers:

1. Cyber security training and evaluation in a security-rated environment: Cyber Range provides a controlled and secure environment where companies and organisations can train and evaluate their cybersecurity actions and practices. This provides the opportunity to identify and remedy any shortcomings and weaknesses in the systems.
2. Safety testing of products and services: Cyber Range offers testing of digital products and services to ensure they are protected against potential cyber threats and attacks. This helps companies and organisations to ensure that their products and services are robust and safe for their users.
3. Testing of digital twins in a specific sector: Cyber Range can create and test digital twins, which means they can simulate and analyse digital systems in a particular sector to identify and solve any security issues.
4. Cybersecurity research projects: Cyber Range participates in and supports research projects related to cybersecurity. This helps to develop new technologies and solutions to improve cybersecurity across different industries and sectors.
5. Certification of products under the EU Cybersecurity Act: Cyber Range can help companies and organisations to certify their products under the EU Cybersecurity Act. This ensures that products meet the high safety standards set in the EU and gives companies a competitive advantage in the market.
6. NIS2 and Cyber Resilience Act compliance support: Cyber Range now offers dedicated support to help organisations navigate new EU regulatory requirements, including management training, incident response planning, and systematic security work aligned with the NIS2 directive and the Cyber Resilience Act.

Why is this a good example?

Rise Cyber Range has had a significant impact on Sweden’s ability to protect its digital landscape and has strengthened the country’s position as a leading player in cybersecurity. By building expertise and excellence in the field, Cyber Range has contributed to Sweden becoming an important player in the EU’s cybersecurity strategy and has increased the capacity for digital security in Swedish public and private organisations.

Some of the key effects and results from RISE Cyber Range include:

1. Increased cybersecurity skills and expertise: By offering education, research and collaboration, Cyber Range has helped build and improve cybersecurity skills in Sweden, enabling companies and organisations to effectively manage and prevent cyber threats.
2. Improved digital security for Swedish organisations: By offering security testing and certification, Cyber Range has helped improve digital security for public and private organisations in Sweden. This, in turn, has reduced the risk of cyberattacks and strengthened the country’s digital infrastructure.
3. Strengthened international research cooperation: Rise Cyber Range has attracted international research collaboration, especially in cybersecurity programmes through the EU Defense Fund and the Digital Europe programme. This has helped strengthen Sweden’s role as a global leader in cybersecurity and created opportunities for further innovation and cooperation.
4. Contributed to the EU Cybersecurity Strategy: By offering cybersecurity expertise and resources, Cyber Range has helped Sweden become an important player in the EU’s cybersecurity strategy, strengthening the EU’s ability to address and prevent cyber threats at a continental level.

Cybercampus Sweden

Building on the success of the Cyber Range, RISE — together with KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the Swedish Armed Forces — took the initiative to establish Cybercampus Sweden, a national hub for cybersecurity research, innovation and education. The Swedish government has recognised the strategic importance of this initiative, committing SEK 25 million in funding in 2024 and SEK 40 million per year from 2025 onwards. RISE contributes to the campus with both expertise and the Cyber Range infrastructure, providing students and researchers with access to a world-class cybersecurity test facility.

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