Telenor warns of rising cyber threats and AI-driven attacks in Norway

Telenor Norway has released its annual security report, ‘Digital Sikkerhet’, highlighting an increasingly complex threat landscape. CEO Birgitte Engebretsen warns that geopolitical instability, hybrid threats, and rising digital crime are targeting critical infrastructure and public systems in Norway.

A significant development is the increased use of artificial intelligence by threat actors. AI allows attackers to identify software vulnerabilities at an unprecedented speed, sometimes within minutes, before vendors can implement fixes. Engebretsen emphasizes the need for a national effort to strengthen collective resilience, noting that individual corporate robustness is insufficient if the broader ecosystem remains vulnerable.

Separately, discussions regarding Telenor’s role involve balancing the state’s dual requirements as a majority shareholder seeking dividends and as a provider of critical national infrastructure. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of cost-cutting measures on technical expertise and the necessity of maintaining robust internal competence to avoid over-reliance on foreign suppliers.