11.02.2004

National Information Security Awareness Project to Culminate with Information Security Day on 11 February 2004

Protecting home computers from intrusions

Computer viruses and worms have recently become more widespread and have caused significant damage around the world. Malicious software challenges the development of an information society and threatens the security of Internet home users.

Malicious software operating via the Internet can affect all unprotected computers that are connected. In some cases, a computer can become infected in less than a minute. Malicious software that spreads through the Internet and e-mail may steal files and passwords, abuse personal information, and damage other software. A network worm can cause an unprotected computer to send millions of unsolicited junk e-mail messages without the user even being aware of it. Contact from the service provider and disconnection of the offending computer from the service will alert the user to the situation.

Legislation and technological innovations are constantly being employed in the battle against network abuse but, ultimately, a sufficient level of security in home computers is critical for the usability of the Internet and e-mail. Even a computer that uses a dial-up connection should now be protected with

-operating system updates,
-a firewall, and
-up-to-date anti-virus software.

The Information Security Day is part of the national information security strategy

The aim of the National Information Security Day, on February 11th, is to ensure that the above information security enhancements are incorporated into all Internet-connected computers. In order to achieve this aim, a broad co-operation team has been formed to promote information security awareness among Finnish information society citizens.

The organisers challenge everyone to participate in the project. We can fight the growing threat only if we join our forces.

The Information Security Day on February 11th will be an annual event and one of the practical measures in the national information security strategy. The implementation of the strategy is controlled by the information security committee, led by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The committee is an extensive forum of actors and organisations in the information security field. The strategy is an essential part of the governmental information society policy.

Security is also the theme for February 11th on a more general level, as it is the national Emergency Number Day.

Events on the National Information Security Day February 11th

Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen will open the Day in an invitational seminar held in the Parliament. The speakers include, among others. Markku Laukkanen, President of the Committee of Transport and Communications; Harri Pursiainen, Chief Director of the Ministry of Transport and Communications; Rauni Hagman, Chief Director of the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority; Harri Koponen, Deputy CEO of TeliaSonera AB; Risto Siilasmaa, CEO of F-Secure; Martti Mehtälä, CEO of Microsoft Finland; and IT author Petteri Järvinen.

On the Information Security Day, more than a million Finnish homes will receive, with the morning paper, a copy of “Joka kodin tietoturvaopas” (“Every home’s information security guide”) - a guide that explains the fundamentals of secure Internet use as simply as possible and contains instructions on how to update the operating systems, anti-virus software and firewall software.

The guide is also available from the customer services and outlets of the following operators and stores:
o Telering stores, Hämeen Puhelin and Auria dealers, Sonera service outlets
o Mäkitorppa stores, Elisa ShopIT stores
o dna+ stores, Finnet telephone company stores

An extended version of the guide will be published at the beginning of the week on www.tietoturvaopas.fi on the Internet. The Internet version will also be available after the Information Security Day and it will be continuously updated by the participants of the project.

On February 11th, the front pages of the major Finnish daily newspapers will feature an advertisement that will hopefully make the readers consider the seriousness of information security threats. A TV commercial that utilises the same imagery will be running on MTV3 for the entire week.

There will briefings on information security in the large shopping centres in the metropolitan area. Microsoft representatives will be visiting Jumbo, Itäkeskus and Iso Omena on Feb 11 - 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

More information on the events will be available on www.tietoturvaopas.fi beginning February 9th.

Project participants

The Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Committee of Transport and Communications, the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, Ficom ry, Tietoturva ry, Pelastakaa lapset ry, Microsoft Oy, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj, Elisa Oyj, Finnet Group, F-Secure Oyj, Computer Associates Finland Oy, Nordea Oyj and Nokia Oyj.

Further information on information security and the information security day

Juhapekka Ristola, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Transport and Communications, phone: (09) 160 28348

Timo Lehtimäki, Head of Information Security, The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, phone: (09) 6966 815

Kauto Huopio, Information Security Adviser, The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, phone: (09) 6966 772

Jani Arnell, Information Security Adviser, The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, phone: (09) 6966 442

Ansa Nikander, Legal Counsel, Elisa Oyj, phone: 050 3737 547

Kari Suortti, Chief Information Security Officer, Elisa Oyj, phone: 060 555 3557

Anita Ovaska, Department Manager, Elisa Oyj, phone: 050 514 8982

Jussi Hirvelä, Products Manager, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj, Consumer Services / Broadband & Internet Services, phone: 02040 54447

Patricia Bogomoloff, Vice President, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj, Service Management & Operations, phone: 02040 60637

Jari Karlsson, Product Marketing Manager, DNA Finland Oy, phone: 044 044 4147

Kimmo Bergius, .net Developer Adviser, Microsoft Oy, phone: 050 3420 8739

Erkki Mustonen, Sales Engineer Manager, F-Secure Oyj, phone: 0400 602 046

Heikki Partanen, Senior Inspector, Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman, phone: (09) 259 8771 (PBX)

General information on the national information security project:
Nora Elers, Communications Manager, FiCom ry, phone: 050 5746977