New Security protection analysis strengthens KI’s preparedness

– As a government agency, KI is obliged to identify which parts of its operations are so sensitive that they are significant for Sweden’s security. This is also affected by the changing global situation, says Magnus Håkansson, Head of the Security Unit at Karolinska Institutet.

The protective security analysis provides a clear picture of KI’s assets requiring protection, potential threats and the measures needed to stay one step ahead. The importance of strong protective security is also made particularly clear by KI’s public mission, with extensive work in defence-related medicine and a deeper strategic partnership with the Swedish Armed Forces to strengthen Sweden’s medical preparedness and total defence.

Active protective security work takes place every day, all year round

A completed protective security analysis gives KI a stable foundation for its continued preparedness work. The aim is to protect free research while ensuring well-adapted protection for the parts of the organisation that are important for Sweden’s security. Ongoing protective security work is now being stepped up and rests on three pillars:

• Information security: Handling sensitive information correctly and protecting KI’s digital systems and research data from theft, destruction, manipulation or espionage.
• Physical security: Securing campus areas, laboratories, research and data centres by establishing approved perimeter protection, restricting access and carrying out access controls.
• Personnel security: Supporting KI’s employees and operations through training and security vetting, so that we have the right person in the right place.

This work is an important part of everyday life at KI, where every employee plays a crucial role.