The Evolution of Hybrid Threats and Possibilities to Counter Them

Hybrid threats refer to the use of unconventional instruments against democratic states and societies for malign purposes. They aim at meeting the target country unprepared thus minimizing the risks for countermeasures. Modern technologies and cyberspace provide many new possibilities for the use of hybrid threat instruments. How can democratic societies best protect themselves against hybrid threats? The European Centre of Excellence in Helsinki was established in 2017 to provide knowledge and information on hybrid threats, to raise awareness and create common capacities in support of its participating states to counter these threats. The Centre of Excellence now has 32 participating states conducts a full range of activities jointly with them in support of their democratic resilience. 

About the Speaker: 

Teija Tiilikainen is the Director of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. Previously, she was the Director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (2010-2019) and has been the Director of the Network of European Studies at the University of Helsinki (2003-2009). In 2018, Dr Tiilikainen was nominated part-time professor (non-residential) at the European University Institute (School of Transnational Governance) in Florence. 

She has served as Secretary of State at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland from 2007 to 2008. She was a member of the European Convention in 2002-03 and a member of the Panel of Eminent Persons on European Security as a Common Project in 2015-16.