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“MSB’s overall assessment is that Sweden’s ability to resist and handle crises and wars is neglected. Much remains to be done, and state governance must give a clearer priority to security, resilience and resilience in society ”.
Thus begins the last report, which was written in 2019. The authority has divided several risks to the country’s security.
John Stauffer, Legal Counsel for Civil Rights Defenders.
Photo: David Lagerlöf
The threat to democracy
Sweden today tops several international lists on press freedom and civil rights. Participation is high and trust in democratic institutions is high.
But in recent years, social, democratic, and economic exclusion has started to grow in some areas, with low turnout and less trust in democracy as a result.
Sweden has also been the target of influence campaigns from foreign powers, the authority claims.
An additional danger For democracy, the threats are against elected representatives and journalists, and intolerance against LGBTQ people and minorities, according to the MSB. According to the human rights organization Civil Rights Defenders, this is a real threat to democracy.
– Threats and outbursts can leave politicians and opinion leaders intimidated and silent. Especially those who work at a lower level and cannot be affiliated with any major media company or organization, says John Stauffer, general counsel for Civil Rights Defenders.
A helicopter bombards a forest fire in Färila 2018 with water. According to MSB, Sweden may become more vulnerable to extreme weather in the future.
Photo: Erik Simander / TT
Infrastructure and supply chains
MSB writes that bridges, ports, railroad points, warehouses, and electricity supply are important infrastructure that today can be weak points in natural disasters or war.
Global warming is a great threat, argues the authority. In the summer of 2018, large wildfires broke out that may be related to climate change, and there is a risk that floods and storms could put great stress on the future.
Already today, they are forced to build reinforcing dikes to protect against higher sea levels in Skanör and, according to the Sveriges Natur newspaper, Gothenburg and Stockholm may need to implement flood measures in the future.
Another concern it is the supply of vital products like food and medicine. Last fall, several hospitals in central Sweden had to go into personal mode because a consumables supplier failed to fulfill its mission, and the crown crisis has revealed major deficiencies in drug storage.
Jim Kronhamn, an analyst at MSB, perceives that Sweden has long hoped not to be exposed to great efforts or external threats, leading us to prioritize total defense.
– Total defense planning has been idle for a long time. In 2015 work was resumed. Then they changed and began to see what it looks like in the country.
MSB perceives that cybersecurity awareness is too low in Sweden.
Photo: Magnus Hallgren
Cybersäkerheten
Sweden is today the most digitized country in Europe, but it ranks 32nd in terms of digital security, according to the Rise research institute.
At the same time, attacks against authorities, companies and individuals are increasing, according to police and the Swedish Armed Forces radio station, FRA. In recent years, several major authorities and institutions have been the target of digital attacks.
Several Swedish authorities are currently developing a common cybersecurity center, even though that work has been delayed several times.
– At the moment various measures are being taken to strengthen Sweden’s cybersecurity, says Jim Kronhamn.
Because Sweden to a greater extent Relying on the digital world increases our vulnerability to interruptions. For example, there could be major problems if a bank’s services went down. Earlier this year, Swedbank suffered major operational disruptions, resulting in a large number of customers being unable to purchase gasoline and food, among other things.
– If central systems fall, there is a risk that many functions of society will disappear. We recommend that everyone have a certain amount of cash in smaller denominations at home, says Jim Kronhamn.
The pandemic has also rapidly made working life even more digital for many Swedes, which carries risks, according to several computer security experts.
– Businesses and individuals are more vulnerable during the transition, from working in the office to working from home. Then many routines change, says Karl Emil Nikka, owner of Nikka Systems.
Press conference with the state crisis management council this spring. According to MSB, the division of responsibilities between the authorities is a vulnerability for Sweden. From left to right: Home Secretary Mikael Damberg (S), Dan Eliasson, Director General of MSB, Minister of Education Anna Ekström (S) and Johan Carlson, Director General of the Swedish Public Health Agency.
Photo: Mickan Palmqvist
Division of responsibilities of the authorities
The last item on the MSB list is about the Swedish administration. According to MSB, there are several shortcomings in the division of responsibilities of the Swedish authorities.
Among other things, many authorities are geographically divided in different ways. For example, the geographic divisions of county administrative boards, police, military, and regions are different, which can make it difficult to work in a crisis.
In Sweden it applies the so-called principle of responsibility, that the authorities deal with the same activities in normal times and crisis. But MSB also writes that there is no authority that has a clear role in coordinating the work between the actors in the event of a crisis.
“The consequence will be that certain capacity enhancement measures run the risk of falling outside the areas of responsibility of various actors and will therefore not be implemented,” writes MSB.
– It may be, among other things, that different authorities may interpret their responsibility in different ways in a crisis situation, says Jim Kronhamn.
New survey: women and men have different views on safety in society
