Strategy for Securing the Functions Vital to Society

The "Strategy for Securing the Functions Vital to Society" is a government resolution document published by the Finnish Government, specifically by the Security and Defence Committee. Here is a comprehensive overview of the key themes, plot summary, and critical reception:

Key Themes

1. National Sovereignty and Security: The strategy emphasizes the importance of upholding national sovereignty and ensuring the security of society in all security situations.
2. Vital Functions of Society: The document identifies and defines the vital functions of society, including the livelihood of the population, national sovereignty, and security.
3. Comprehensive Security: It outlines a comprehensive security strategy that involves coordination among various administrative sectors to prepare for and secure vital functions.
4. Threat Scenarios and Preparedness: The strategy lists common threat scenarios and associated special situations, including preparedness obligations to ensure that capabilities required for securing vital functions are developed.

Plot Summary

The document sets out the Government’s guidelines for ministries, concretizing the report on Finnish security and defence policy. It aims to avoid duplication of development efforts and ensure that all necessary capabilities for securing vital functions are developed. The strategy coordinates administrative sectors' measures required for preparedness and securing vital functions by defining:

• Vital functions of society and their desired end states
• Common threat scenarios and associated special situations
• Ministries' strategic tasks required for securing functions, including development requirements
• Focus areas, schedule, monitoring arrangements, and exercises.

Critical Reception

Given its nature as a government resolution, there is no formal critical reception in the traditional sense. However, the document has been widely recognized and implemented within Finnish security and defence policies. It has been praised for its comprehensive approach to societal security, ensuring effective cooperation between central and regional authorities, businesses, NGOs, research institutions, and universities.

Historical Context

The first strategy for securing vital functions of society was published in 2003, with subsequent updates and revisions to ensure the document remains relevant to changing security environments and societal structures. The 2017 Security Strategy for Society further solidified Finland's concept of comprehensive security, emphasizing preparedness and effective crisis management.

In summary, the "Strategy for Securing the Functions Vital to Society" is a foundational document in Finnish security and defence policy, emphasizing national sovereignty, comprehensive security, and preparedness for various threat scenarios. Its implementation has been critical in ensuring the vital functions of society are secured, and it continues to influence Finnish security strategies.