Denmark’s security does not begin in Parliament

When we talk about Denmark’s security, our thoughts naturally turn to the armed forces, the police, and the state. They carry a unique responsibility for protecting the country. But modern crises do not recognise the traditional boundaries between government, business, and society.

A major cyber attack could bring payment systems, hospitals, transport, and communications to a standstill without a single soldier crossing the border. The sabotage of cables and energy supplies could affect the entire country within hours. And disinformation can sow distrust and unrest long before the authorities have had time to explain what is happening.

At the same time, many of the essential services that keep Denmark running are operated by private companies, municipalities and local organisations. In other words, the state cannot shoulder this responsibility alone. None of us can.

A new PA Consulting survey of 6,000 people across nine NATO countries shows that people in Denmark recognise that the threat landscape has changed: 30 percent identify cyber attacks as the greatest threat to security over the coming decade, well above both terrorism and conventional warfare. However, Danish citizens are less confident about Denmark’s ability to handle a major security crisis. A third believe the country is well prepared, a third believe the opposite, while the remaining third are either unsure or do not know.

But perhaps the survey’s most interesting finding isn’t about the concerns. It’s about our willingness to act. As many as 66 percent would contribute to cyber security efforts during a conflict. None of the other eight countries reaches the same level. Significantly, 65 percent would provide medical or humanitarian assistance, 60 percent would help with logistics, and even national military service attracts support from 51 percent. The willingness is clearly there. What we lack is a clear invitation and a specific task.

This presents an important leadership challenge for the government, public authorities, businesses, and municipalities. Total defence needs to be understandable and relevant to people’s everyday lives. Forget general messages about the world becoming increasingly dangerous – what’s required are clear answers to big questions. Who takes over if payment systems go down? How does a company keep its critical operations running if employees can’t get to work? What skills can each person contribute? And where do people go if they want to help?

Sweden and Finland have worked on these questions for many years. Businesses, public authorities, and citizens all have clearly defined roles within their respective models of total defence and comprehensive security. The results are also reflected in the survey: Sweden and Finland are the only countries where, for major security threats, more people consider their country well prepared than poorly prepared.

Denmark shouldn’t copy its Nordic neighbours wholesale. But there’s a key lesson from their whole society approach: security concerns us all, even when we are not at war.

First, businesses must play a clearer role in Denmark’s security efforts. They operate large parts of our critical infrastructure and possess the technology, data, specialist expertise and supply chains that society as a whole will need during a crisis.

Second, we need to practice together. An emergency plan stored in a digital folder is of little use when systems go down. Public authorities, municipalities and businesses should regularly test how they make decisions, share information and keep critical operations running under pressure.

Finally, we as citizens need to understand our own role. With two out of three people willing to contribute to cyber security efforts, Denmark has access to a resource that remains largely untapped. Educational institutions, businesses, voluntary organisations, and public authorities can create practical routes into emergency preparedness – for cyber experts and nurses, drivers and neighbours who bring their local communities together.

Denmark is not lacking in commitment, expertise, or willingness. But these resources will only make a difference when they are used in the right way. Denmark’s security does not, therefore, begin at Christiansborg. It begins wherever each citizen takes responsibility for keeping society running and where someone has made it clear what needs to be done.

Read the article in Børsen in Danish.