Odin Johannessen, Director of the Norwegian Industry and Business Security Council (NSR)

Odin Johannessen, Director of the Norwegian Industry and Business Security Council (NSR), set the stage with his presentation on global security challenges in the form of political, economic, military and environmental threats. Increasingly, the scale and interlock of events means that even local events can have unanticipated global consequences. In Norway there is a growing gap between emerging threats and existing levels of security. Organizations today face significant challenges in the form of vulnerabilities in the value chain, a sharp increase in cyber incidents and growing concerns about espionage. Sectors such as defence, health, maritime technology, oil and gas and space operations are especially at risk from targeted attacks.

In the face of European and global security challenges, the Norwegian industry and business sector needs to focus on readiness and resilience. NATO guidance around preparedness prioritizes key areas such as government continuity, energy, the movement of people, food and water supplies, mass casualties and disruptive health crises, civil communications (such as telecom) and transport systems. Maintaining continuity of service, good governance and law enforcement in the face of threats are crucial. Resilience means that sufficient steps are taken to build on knowledge and threat assessment to prepare for the unexpected.

Anders Rimstad, the CSO of Aker ASA

Anders Rimstad, the CSO of Aker ASA, offered insight into how this leading industrial investment company achieves resilience across its different companies, functions and disciplines. The ability to bridge strategic risk management and crisis management is key to resilience in today’s world, given the increased frequency and complexity of global threats.

Securing people, assets and brand reputation from intentional harm is at the core of Aker ASA’s approach to risk, emergency preparedness and critical event management. The Aker Security Centre of Excellence draws together many functions to identify/detect security threats, protect/prevent security breaches and respond to/recover from any critical security incident. This holistic approach is supported by quarterly meetings, ongoing security briefings and consultation. A company-wide harmonization of policies, procedures and plans–both horizontally and vertically–ensures a tight interlock between strategic risk management, emergency preparedness and crisis management. For Aker ASA, resilience stems from a continuous, rigorous and informed commitment to excellence in security across the company.

RAYVN Symposium Panel discussion with Odin Johannessen, Anders Rimstad, Halvor Molland, and Ivar Konrad Lunde

Ensuring the safety and security of Norway is the mandate of The Total Preparedness Commission acting on behalf of the state and citizens. In 2023, the Commission submitted its assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the current preparedness systems, considering both national and international challenges in key areas, including technology, globalization, urbanization and the environment.

Odin Johannessen and Anders Rimstad joined Halvor Molland, Senior Vice President, Group Communication for Hydro, and Ivar Konrad Lunde, Consultant from Proactima, for a speaker panel to discuss the scope, recommendations and key questions arising from the findings of The Total Preparedness Commission. The lively interchange focused on the need for robust emergency preparedness, including local and regional levels, and building a resilient society. The need for private-public partnerships, collaboration with voluntary organizations and Nordic-wide cooperation is also vital. Supply chain management and digital security emerged as key threats that require focus.

Overall, the panel highlighted the need for a tight interlock between the structure, competence and culture that define leadership in safety and security preparedness. Questions were raised as to:

• structure: whether further structural change is needed for the future?
• competence: what skills and competencies are required, and how will they be built?
• culture: how to support the vertical and horizontal cooperation needed for a cooperative culture?
• leadership: whether the right leadership is in place at all levels of government to deliver on the necessary ‘social security boost’?

Kristin Harila, Norwegian mountaineer and world record holder

Kristin Harila, a Norwegian mountaineer, has broken multiple world records as a mountaineer. Notably, she and Tenjin Lama Sherpa set the record for the ascent of 14 mountains over 8000 metres–including K2 and Everest–in 92 days on 27 July 2023. Kristin’s inspiring presentation focused on the importance of preparedness, risk assessment, strategies for resilience and initiatives for recovery, both when faced with a crisis on the climb as well as in post-climb responses to disaster

With vulnerability and courage, she explained how she is channelling her grief for the death of Lama (Tenjin Sherpa), her fellow mountaineer and guide, into recovery and eco-activism for the future. For more information, see her website kristinharila.com.