AmCham Defense Forum
In collaboration with the US Commercial Service, AmCham’s third Defense Forum of the year was hosted by Geelmuyden Kiese. The session began with a presentation on information manipulation and cyber influence operations by Eskil Grendahl Sivertsen, followed by a discussion on the private sector’s vital role in national security led by Grete Aspelund.
Cyber Influence and the Private Sector’s Role in National Security
Eskil Grendahl Sivertsen, Special Adviser for Cyber-Social Propaganda & Influence at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI), provided a comprehensive overview of online information manipulation and interference. He highlighted the growing significance of cyber influence campaigns, which states use to create confusion and mistrust among adversaries by blending facts with falsehoods to promote their own ideologies and political goals.
Eskil also noted the increasing sophistication of these operations due to the rise of AI tools, which have enhanced both the volume and quality of content available online. The difficulty in distinguishing between AI-generated and authentic information, especially as there is “no silver bullet for detecting AI,” adds to the complexity of separating truth from misinformation. One emerging threat, he explained, is the proliferation of AI-driven autonomous news websites, which often produce articles with little or no factual basis and can make their way into mainstream media.
Private Sector’s Critical Role in National Security
Grete Aspelund, head of NCC Industry in the Nordics, addressed the crucial role of the private sector in supporting national security, particularly through the development and maintenance of critical infrastructure. She pointed out that while government ambitions are generally aligned with the needs identified by industry experts, three significant challenges remain: maintenance backlogs, geopolitical instability, and insufficient local funding.
Grete stressed that critical infrastructure, essential for emergency preparedness, must be built from the ground up. However, she noted that a lack of coordination and communication between governmental institutions and the public and private sectors hinders progress toward meeting Norway’s infrastructure needs. With the recent accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, she emphasized the growing importance of Nordic collaboration on critical infrastructure, expressing hope for increased coordination between countries and greater involvement of the private sector in this effort.
About the AmCham Defense Forum
In partnership with the US Commercial Service, the Defense Forum supports US defense industry partners in Norway. Key Patron-level and defense industry representatives gather quarterly to forge enhanced public-private sector collaboration – sharing insights, developments, and trends to secure long-term transatlantic bonds.
Please contact amcham@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.