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The Tampere region boasts diverse expertise in the security and defense sectors, along with internationally significant players in the field. Within an ecosystem of over 350 companies, global security innovations and solutions are developed to safeguard an increasingly digital society.
#securitycluster
The Tampere region is home to diverse expertise in the security and defense sectors, along with renowned players in the field. Security is broadly understood as a cross-cutting theme across various industries.
The goals of the security ecosystem are to:
Security industry experts
The revenue of the security industry in Tampere Region
Organizations involved in the Safety and Security Ecosystem
The Tampere Region Safety and Security Cluster provides an entry point to versatile, low-threshold security collaboration. Tampere is home to key authorities essential for security, and collaboration between authorities is considered smooth in the region.
Established in 2011, the network of authorities, researchers, and other industry players has created strong conditions for cooperation among the region’s security actors. Through joint development projects, the cluster takes significant steps in advancing security innovations. Innovation platforms and RDI infrastructures support collaborative and inclusive development efforts.
The defense industry plays a critical societal role, contributing to national security and military preparedness as well as boosting exports and employment.
Tampere Region has a nearly century-long history in the defense industry. For strategic and operational reasons, the Tampere region has become home to significant actors, including the Finnish Defence Forces, other public sector organizations, research and educational institutions, and the largest companies in the field, including strategic partners of the Defence Forces.
A century of diverse activities in national security and the defense industry in Tampere Region
The roots of Finnish heavy weapons industry are in the conglomerate Tampella, which started the manufacture of mortars in the 1930s. During the economic depression of the 1930s, the State Aircraft Factory relocated from Suomenlinna to Tampere. To support the aircraft factory, an engine factory was built in Linnavuori, Tampere, in the 1940s. (Source: Patria 100 Years)
Safeguarding national security and driving growth
The defense industry holds significant societal importance, contributing to national security and military preparedness, as well as export growth and job creation. In 2020, Finland’s major defense industry players employed approximately 9,000 people and generated €1.7 billion in revenue, with exports accounting for 30–50%. (Source: Critical Competence Management)
Cutting-edge defense products and maintenance services
Tampere Region boasts diverse expertise in the defense industry and national security. The Finnish defense industry’s top products include command and communication systems, vehicle systems, naval vessels, and equipment related to protection and soldier gear. A key area in the defense industry is the maintenance of equipment for the Finnish Defence Forces. Based in Tampere as part of the Patria Group, Millog provides maintenance for Army and Navy equipment as well as Air Force surveillance systems in both normal and exceptional circumstances.
Key technologies in defense: artificial intelligence and autonomous systems
The growing pace of technological change significantly impacts the defense industry. Information technology solutions are becoming integral to all aspects of warfare and defense products, increasing the complexity of forecasting future technologies. Key technologies to focus on in the medium term include the development of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Finland’s HX Fighter Program and its related industrial participation initiative will play a crucial role in advancing defense technology and expertise throughout the 2020s.
Example of regional expertise: Patria – a primary partner for critical operations on land, sea, and air
With a century of experience, Patria provides continuous development of equipment performance and usability, along with intelligence, surveillance, and command systems products and services for the aviation, security, and defense sectors. Patria’s mission is to ensure operational reliability for its international and domestic clients.
A sustainably growing city provides a unique innovation environment for multidisciplinary development in security, such as event security and intelligent mobility.
Tampere has been the birthplace of many nationally significant solutions promoting everyday security and international export products, such as the 112 Suomi mobile application, ERICA emergency center information system, Koronavilkku mobile application, as well as the personal identification card and passport system.
A smart and sustainably growing city offers a unique innovation environment for multidisciplinary security development.
The City of Tampere is enabling investments exceeding EUR 6 billion in the development of the city by 2030. There are several major projects under way for smart and sustainable urban development, such as the construction and extension of the tramway, the development of the main rail line and Tampere’s unique multi-purpose arena and its surroundings. The innovation environment of the growing city enables the production of replicable safety and security solutions both nationally and internationally.
Nationally significant innovations in everyday safety and international export products
.Many nationally significant solutions promoting everyday safety have been developed in Tampere, such as Digia’s 112 Suomi mobile application, Insta DefSec’s Emergency Response Center information system ERICA, Solita’s Koronavilkku mobile application, and Digia’s identity card and passport system.
Many key safety authorities, such as the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), are located in Tampere, and cooperation between authorities in the city region is smooth. Well-being and safety go hand in hand. In the Tampere region, the development of safety is also supported by a strong network of health technology expertise, including more than 70 health sector companies, 11 hospitals and more than 30 pharmacies.
Event security in a city of experiences is made together
Tampere is a city of experiences and events, and event security is one of the focus areas of safety and security expertise in the city region. Greater strides to promote event security are taken in joint development projects. The three-year SURE project (Smart Urban Security and Event Resilience), implemented during 2019–2022, aimed to improve preparedness for security threats related to events by enhancing collaboration among event stakeholders and developing tools to support it.
Safe mobility focuses on data, autonomous driving and positioning
Tampere is one of the leading cities in Europe where the public and private sector join forces to create a sustainable and safe transport environment. The city acts as a test environment for intelligent solutions that improve the smoothness, predictability, safety and efficiency of the transport system. There are automated driving pilots under way, backed up by an intelligent traffic light system, intelligent street lights and strong sensor expertise in the region. Several ongoing development projects are focused on creating a comprehensive real-time picture of traffic. In addition, new innovations and smooth mobility solutions are being created by combining indoor and outdoor positioning. The proliferation of networked solutions also highlights the need for cybersecurity.
Example of expertise in the region: Särkänniemi – a diverse tourist destination that invests in safety
Särkänniemi is the most diverse tourist destination in Finland and the greatest attraction for tourism in Tampere, with nearly 700,000 visitors every year. The constantly developing Särkänniemi area includes the amusement park, aquarium, Näsinneula observation tower and Doghill Fairytale Farm, Sara Hildén Art Museum and Restaurant Näsinneula. Safety is strongly at the heart of the everyday operations and development of the park.
The Tampere region is internationally recognized as one of the best places in the world for developing intelligent machines. The metropolitan area is home to ten global market leaders in their respective fields, engaged in product development, innovation activities, and manufacturing. There are over 3,000 companies operating in the technology industry in the Pirkanmaa region.
Modern, sustainable work machines and processes increasingly leverage automation, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence solutions to meet the needs of sustainable development.
The Tampere region is internationally renowned for smart mobile machinery and extensive ICT expertise, in particular
A long industrial history, strong ICT expertise, engineering know-how, manufacturing expertise and network combined with an active, high-quality research community make the Tampere region one of the best places in the world to develop smart machines. As digitalisation and networking increase, the requirements of security also grow more marked.
Ten global market leaders and more than 3,000 technology companies
Ten global market leaders intelligent machinery operate in Tampere city region, all with product development and innovation activities in the region, and almost all of them also have manufacturing there. Overall, the smart machinery sector of the Tampere city region includes more than 160 companies with a combined turnover of more than EUR 13 billion and 50,000 employees. The technology industry has 3,000 places of business in the Tampere region, which employ almost 35,000 people and generate a turnover of EUR 7.6 billion.
In networked, smart machines, the importance of security is emphasised
Modern work machines and processes that meet the needs of sustainable development utilise automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence solutions to an increasing extent. The region’s strong ICT expertise and numerous leading companies in digitalisation provide excellent conditions for their development. The business field in the city region covers competence needs from sensors to AI, IoT and data analytics, computer vision and imaging solutions, predictive maintenance solutions, virtual reality opportunities, cybersecurity and data security.
Green transition of industry protects the environment for future generations
Finland aspires to be a global leader in the areas of hydrogen and circular economy, high value-added bioproducts, zero-emission energy systems and other climate and environmental solutions, as well as to improve energy efficiency and accelerate the switch to fossil-free transport and heating. Industry is at the forefront of promoting carbon neutrality through its own solutions. The carbon footprint and handprint have become the focus of industrial companies’ strategies and development work. The Tampere region has carried out long-term sustainable development work, which not only generates growth and innovation, but also helps protect the environment for future generations. Data plays a key role in measuring environmental impacts as well as in the development of innovations in the digital circular economy.
Example of expertise in the region: Tukes – authority promoting the safety of industrial activities
Tukes is a licensing and supervisory authority that promotes the safety and reliability of products, services and industrial activities. Tukes is a member of many national and international networks, such as SAF€RA, a European consortium that funds research and development in industrial safety.
As digitization and connectivity continue to grow, the importance of security requirements is becoming more prominent. Machine learning and artificial intelligence have the potential to significantly reshape the cybersecurity landscape.
The Tampere metropolitan area is a hub of expertise, with 2,200 software companies. The region’s business landscape covers the skill needs ranging from sensors to AI, IoT, and data analytics, computer vision solutions and imaging, predictive maintenance solutions, virtual reality possibilities, as well as cyber and information security.
Tampere region is known for its strong ICT know-how and cluster of companies
The Tampere city region knowledge hub includes 2,200 software companies. The number of companies in the sector has more than doubled since 2010. The growth is based on internationalisation, rapid technological development and digitalisation. The development in the Tampere region is based on Nokia’s and then Microsoft’s mobile phone business, the end of which in 2016 provided a skilled workforce for the ICT sector and created new businesses.
Cybersecurity refers to technologies and processes designed to protect computers, networks, software and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access. Technological developments influence the development of cybersecurity solutions. Machine learning and artificial intelligence can significantly change the cybersecurity landscape.
As digitalisation and networking increase, the requirements of security also grow more marked. Modern work machines and processes that meet the needs of sustainable development utilise automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence solutions to an increasing extent. The region’s strong ICT expertise and numerous leading companies in digitalisation provide excellent conditions for their development. The business field in the city region covers competence needs from sensors to AI, IoT and data analytics, computer vision and imaging solutions, predictive maintenance solutions, virtual reality opportunities, cybersecurity and data security.
Safe mobility focuses on data, automated driving and positioning
Tampere is one of the leading cities in Europe where the public and private sector join forces to create a sustainable and safe transport environment. The city acts as a test environment for intelligent solutions that improve the smoothness, predictability, safety and efficiency of the transport system. There are autonomous driving pilots under way in the city region, backed up by an intelligent traffic light system, intelligent street lights and strong sensor expertise in the region. Several ongoing development projects are focused on creating a comprehensive real-time picture of traffic. In addition, new innovations and smooth mobility solutions are being created by combining indoor and outdoor positioning. The proliferation of networked solutions also highlights the need for cybersecurity.
Example of expertise in the region: Insta – a pioneer in safe digitalisation
Insta Group Oy is an expert organisation in industrial automation, industrial digitalisation, cybersecurity and defence technology that helps its customers develop and ensure the performance and results of their operations. Insta is a Finnish family business that provides customers operating in challenging fields with innovative technology and service solutions. The company has grown from a basement workshop in 1960 to a technology group with over a thousand employees and a pioneer in safe digitalisation.
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Executive Director, Safety and Security
+358 40 8062 375
petri.nykanen@businesstampere.com
Senior Business Advisor, Safety and Security
+358 40 8247 716
petri.koskinen@businesstampere.com