Denmark - Cyber and information security strategy

The National Strategy for Cyber and Information Security 2026–2029 was launched in 2026 by the Danish Government in broad agreement with a coalition of political parties in the Danish Parliament. The strategy aims to strengthen Denmark’s resilience against evolving cyber threats through enhanced public-private cooperation, targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and by equipping citizens with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape safely.

The agreement contains initiatives divided into four focus areas that set the direction for the strategic efforts in the coming years, including: 

• Strengthening the Cyberhotline for digital security and citizen-oriented advice.
• Coordinating action against digital fraud.
• Establishing an SME-CERT in a public-private cooperation.
• Enhancing operational cooperation across public and private actors through national exercises.

Digital Skills Objectives 

The strategy addresses digital skills and competencies across two main pillars: raising general digital literacy and fraud awareness among citizens, and cultivating specialized cybersecurity talent for the workforce.

Pillar 1: Empowering Citizens and Enhancing Digital Security Literacy

The primary objective is to ensure that all citizens possess the necessary competencies to navigate the digital landscape safely and protect themselves against digital fraud. This is driven by the following key initiatives:

• "Train-the-Trainer" Volunteer Networks: The government, in cooperation with relevant organizations, will train employees and volunteers who have daily contact with citizens—such as librarians, citizen service center staff, and IT volunteers at senior organizations – to provide targeted digital safety advice to vulnerable groups, particularly the youth and the elderly.

• Strengthened Cyberhotline for Digital Security: The national Cyberhotline will be expanded to provide centralized, nationwide preventative counseling and direct assistance for citizens who have fallen victim to cybercrime.

• Unified Digital Communication Guidelines: Clear, national guidelines and advice will be established so that public authorities communicate uniformly, making it easier for citizens to recognize legitimate government communications and avoid scams.

Pillar 2: Advanced Upskilling and Cybersecurity Workforce Capacity

To counter the shortage of cybersecurity expertise, which poses a barrier to national digital resilience, the strategy focuses on recruiting, educating, and retaining technical and analytical talent.

• Establishment of a Civilian Cyber Programme: A structured, intensive upskilling and practical training pathway will be created within the Agency for Public Safety. Targeted at promising young talents – including former cyber-conscripts and neurodivergent individuals the program offers a practical entry point into the cybersecurity industry.

• Expansion of Higher and Continuing Education: The strategy builds upon recently approved academic bachelor’s, master’s, and professional degree specializations in cybersecurity, while simultaneously expanding continuing education options to allow the existing workforce to upskill and transition into the IT security sector.

• Enhanced Cyber Conscription (Cyberværnepligt): To meet the demands of both the military and civil society, the national cyber conscription program is being expanded from 10 to 11 months, doubling its annual intake to approximately 60 conscripts.