Cybercation 2024 speakers
Date: November 1st 2024
Venue: Tartu University Academic Sports Club (Ujula 4, Tartu, Estonia)
Language: English
Maria Gratschew
Director of Nordic Council of Ministers' office in Estonia
Estonia
Maria Gratschew, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia, is a true Nordic but with a remarkable international career. She has worked in various countries around the world within organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the International Organization for Migration (IOM-UN), and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in many different roles. Both at grassroots level in rural Tajikistan and Moldova, but also as a representative of the politico-military dimensions for the OSCE Chairpersonships in Vienna. Maria has collaborated on cybersecurity topics with several Estonian experts already in her previous roles during OSCE chairpersonships and committees, where Estonia has been a leading example in both cybersecurity and e-governance.
Kaimo Kuusk
Permanent Secretary, Estonian Ministry of Defence
Estonia
Kaimo Kuusk became Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defence in September 2024, overseeing the ministry’s work and coordinating the activities of the Defence Forces, Foreign Intelligence Service, Defence Investment Centre, Defence Resources Agency, War Museum, and Defence League. Prior to this, he served as Estonia’s ambassador to Lithuania and Ukraine, where he managed Estonia’s military aid following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Kuusk has also held leadership roles in the Foreign Intelligence Service.
Anett Numa
Cyber Defence Expert, Digistage
Estonia
With a background as a Cyber Defence Policy Adviser at Estonia’s Ministry of Defence, I have extensive experience in shaping cyber policy, coordinating NATO CCDCOE initiatives, and leading international cyber exercises. My expertise spans developing national cyber defence strategies, driving cross-organizational collaboration, and representing Estonia in NATO and EU negotiations. Previously, I advised global governments on Estonia’s digital transformation at the e-Estonia Briefing Centre. I specialize in cyber defence, innovation, and fostering public-private partnerships to drive digitalization and enhance security.
Renno Veinthal
Deputy Secretary General of Higher Education, Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Estonia
Renno Veinthal has served as deputy secretary general of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research since November 2021. Previously, he was a Professor of Composite Materials at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) from 2007 to 2021 and served as Vice-Rector for Research in 2015-2020. Veinthal graduated from TalTech with a diploma in mechanical engineering in 1999 and completed his PhD in 2005, focusing on the erosive wear of composite materials. His research covers materials for extreme conditions, particulate materials, and magnetic alloys. He has co-authored over 60 scientific papers and 4 patents. As Deputy Secretary General Renno Veinthal oversees policy areas including research and development, higher education, vocational education and training, skills and qualifications policy, and lifelong learning in Estonia. He chairs various committees and boards, among others steers ICT Academy, which is a focused policy measure to advance R&D in specific domains, including cybersecurity.
Linda Mostrup Pedersen
Partner, Happy42
Denmark
Linda is a passionate cybersecurity advocate with +6 years experience in cybersecurity and talent development. Since 2021, she has led the CyberSkills project in Denmark, engaging over 30,000 young people in cybersecurity education. She also oversees the national Danish cybersecurity championships, helping to identify and nurture future talent. With a strong focus on diversity, she collaborates with educational institutions to develop resources and advises companies on talent development strategies within the Danish cybersecurity community. Lastly she is the initiator of the Nordic Baltic think tank CyberBridgeForum.
Liina Lumiste
Legal Advisor / Visiting Lecturer, Information System Authority / University of Tartu
Estonia
She´s a legal advisor and researcher with the focus on international law and cyber security.
Oleg Shvaikovsky
Founder, CEO, Aristotle OÜ
Estonia
He is deeply committed to exploring how education and artificial intelligence can work together to create innovative learning experiences. He has played a key role in developing educational approaches that use AI to improve both teaching and learning. While his focus is on education, Oleg’s experience in cybersecurity gives him a well-rounded understanding of the digital world, ensuring that learning environments are not only engaging but also secure. His unique blend of expertise brings technology and education closer together in a meaningful way.
Lars Blomgaard
Senior Cyber Security Consultant, Dubex
Denmark
Lars is a cybersecurity expert with 20 years of professional knowledge in cybersecurity and 7 years of experience in digital investigation with the Danish Police. From this year he´s a member of the Nordic Baltic think tank CyberBridgeForum.
Sten Kapten
Education Innovation Advisor, The Ministry of Education and Research of Estonia
Estonia
Sten is an expert in education and technology, advising on current and future trends in Estonia and internationally. As a member of the Minister’s AI Council, he focuses on advancing education through AI, personalized learning, and digital transformation. He has a strong academic background in philosophy, economics, educational sciences, and policy studies, and plays a key role in shaping the Estonian education model and future curricula.
Tiina Pau
Expert-Coordinator, Estonian Information System Authority
Estonia
With a background in education and digital competencies, Tiina now works in cybersecurity, combining expertise from both fields. She is dedicated to raising awareness about career opportunities in cybersecurity, focusing on young girls, computer science teachers, and university students studying non-IT curricula.
Gunnar Karlsson
Professor, Cybercampus Sweden and KTH
Sweden
Gunnar leads the development of education in cybersecurity within Cybercampus Sweden, a national initiative. He has led the development and provision of education from KTH of Swedish cybersoldiers and specialist officers. From this year he´s a member of the Nordic Baltic think tank CyberBridgeForum.
Janne Hagen
Associate professor II, University of Oslo
Norway
Janne holds a PhD in information security and master’s degrees in industrial economy and management. She has a distinguished career as a researcher and advisor in societal security, critical infrastructure protection, and cybersecurity. She´s a special advisor on cyber security at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and an associate professor II at the University of Oslo. Janne has been a member of the Norwegian Committee of Digital Vulnerabilities in Society and the Norwegian Election Act Commission, and in 2024, she´s a member of the Nordic Baltic think tank CyberBridgeForum.
Rainer Ratnik
CEO, Attorney at Law, WIDEN
Estonia
He's the COO of WIDEN in the Baltics and an attorney-at-law. He's an experienced legal strategist and a specialist in cross-border and IT law, with 10 years of combined experience as an attorney and in-house legal counsel working on various matters concerning cybersecurity.
Henri Ratnik
Co-Head of IT, IP and Data Protection, Attorney at Law, WIDEN
Estonia
Henri specialises in advising clients on intricate legal matters relating to technology, cyber security, data protection, web3, fintech and intellectual property. He has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating cross-border contracts and analysing and bringing legal solutions for sophisticated business models.
Maria Bique
CEO of CyberCoach
Finland
Maria Bique is the CEO and co-founder of CyberCoach, a cyber awareness geek, data protection and security culture expert and digital rights activist. She has cultured cells in a lab, developed algorithms for analyzing brain activity and led security and tech teams at various companies. Currently, she's finishing a Ph.D. about employee privacy rights in the age of AI-enabled human risk management at Aalto University and fighting for digital skills equality through CyberCoach.
Kadi Tulver
Fellow of Cognitive Science and Machine Vision, University of Tartu
Estonia
Kadi is a postdoctoral researcher working at the intersection of natural and artificial intelligence at the Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu. She defended her PhD in psychology on the topic of individual differences in visual perception. Her current research focuses on the metacognitive processes related to creativity and problem-solving, specifically how insights, also known as aha-moments, emerge within natural intelligence.