Russia’s war in Ukraine has concentrated greater attention on the threat picture for the petroleum sector, energy security in Europe and the importance of secure operation on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).
Norway makes an important contribution to the current position by maintaining a high production of oil and gas through continued great regularity in the delivery chain.
The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) emphasises that a close relationship exists between security and high regularity.
PST
The PST is Norway’s domestic intelligence and security service, and is subordinate to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. Its job is to prevent and investigate serious criminality directed against national security.
It identifies and assesses threats related to intelligence, sabotage, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism and extremism. Its assessments contribute to shaping policy and supporting political decision processes.
The PST’s annual threat assessment is part of its unclassified societal communication, where it reports on the expected development of the threat picture.
Access the National Threat Assessment for 2023 (English version)
NSM
The NSM is Norway’s directorate for preventive security services. It gives advice on and carries out audits and other checks on both civilian and military sides related to the security of information, systems, objects and infrastructure of national significance. The NSM also has a national responsibility for identifying serious cyber operations, warning about them and coordinating responses.
Through its annual Risk report, the NSM presents its updated assessment of the risk picture for national security. This evaluates how vulnerabilities in Norwegian undertakings and social functions influence the risk picture in light of the threat picture described by the NIS and the PST. The report also recommends measures for reducing the risk associated with activities regarded as a security threat.
Access Risk 2023: Unpredictable times call for enhanced preparedness, on the NSM website (in Norwegian only)
NIS
The NIS is Norway’s foreign intelligence agency. It reports to the Chief of Defence Norway, but covers both civilian and military matters. Its main job is to warn of external threats to Norway and priority Norwegian interests, support the armed forces and the defence alliances the country belongs to, and assist political decision processes with information of special interest for Norwegian foreign, security and defence policies.
In its annual Focus assessment, the NIS provides its analysis of the current position and expected developments in thematic and geographical areas which it considers particularly relevant for Norway’s security and national interests.
Access Fokus 2023: Etterretningstjenestens åpne vurdering av aktuelle sikkerhetsutfordringer for Norge (Norwegian version. The English version – Focus 2023: The Norwegian Intelligence Service’s unclassified assessment of current security challenges facing Norway – is under preparation and expected to be available in early March).