S6E11: Finland's Comprehensive Security Model

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Feb 10, 2026

Petteri Korvala, Secretary General of Finland's Security Committee with 30+ years in defence and policy, explains Finland's comprehensive security model. He outlines the seven vital functions and how local, regional and national levels link. He discusses conscription's societal role, building trust and psychological resilience, and how exercises, volunteers and phased investment sustain long-term preparedness.

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INSIGHT

Vital Functions Tie Society Together

Finland defines seven vital societal functions and links them to 56 strategic tasks owned by ministries and other actors.
This system treats security as a whole-of-society responsibility spanning public, private, civil society and individuals.

INSIGHT

From Total Defence To Broad Resilience

Finland's comprehensive security evolved from total defence and expanded across non-military threats since 2003.
The 2025 strategy increases emphasis on response and places individuals at the centre of resilience.

INSIGHT

A Networked Harmoniser At National Level

The Security Committee is a 24-person 'network of trust' harmonising cross-sector preparedness and reporting annually to state leadership.
It meets monthly and is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence to ensure whole-of-government cohesion.

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Often seen as the gold standard for societal resilience, Finland has many admirers. The Secretary General of its Security Committee, Petteri Korvala, describes Finland's approach.

Many nations are exploring how to build societal resilience as part of a comprehensive approach to security. The Scandinavian countries are often seen as exemplars of best practice, with Finland arguably leading the pack. But delivering resilience through comprehensive security requires trust across all elements of society and a cultural shift as much as it needs the right structures and processes.

In this episode, we hear from the Secretary General of Finland's Security Committee, Petteri Korvala, about how their comprehensive security system works.

Petteri Korvala has over 30 years of experience in Finland's defence forces and internationally, including in the Ministry of Defence and in Finland's Permanent Representation to the European Union, as well as having served as a liaison officer in United States European Command.