The government has allocated 7 million for the local security services to strengthen the fight against digital espionage, according to P4.
According to the radio station, it appears in the draft budget that the appropriation is for the Police Security Service (PST) to strengthen efforts to combat digital espionage.
– There is ongoing intelligence operations against Norway now, says PST Chief Benedicte Bjørnland.
In the Secret Service threat assessment digital espionage is a growing and serious problem now and in the years ahead.
– To investigate, prevent and counteract what we see as digital intelligence against national interests is an important job for us in the future, she said.
Bjørnland says there is no reason to believe that it will turn around in coming years.
Justice Minister Anders Anundsen said that the scope of this kind of espionage is increasing.
– Capacity has not been good enough to handle the increase we now see. Therefore, I believe that we need to equip PST so that they could work better in this area for years to come, said Anundsen.
The state budget will be presented on October 6th.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
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