From: Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The present director of the NATO Cyber Defence Centre in Tallinn, Col. Ilmar Tamm, handed over command of the centre to Col. Artur Suzik at a festive ceremony on Friday. Colonel Tamm, who has headed the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence since its establishment in 2008, said in his farewell speech that the opportunity of growing and developing together with the centre had been a priceless experience, the Defence Forces headquarters told BNS.

“Every organisation’s success and continuity are due to its people and its team spirit. It has been my honour and privilege to work with you, because you are the people who make the Cyber Defence Centre great. I hope to have contacts with you also in the future,” Tamm said, “I wish success to Col. Suzik and ask you to support him as you supported me when I headed the centre.”

Col. Artur Suzik, who so far served in the Defence Forces as head of the communications and command systems, welcomed his new team and recognised the work done by his predecessors. “From an idea suggested years ago, the centre has grown into a recognised organisation,” Suzik said. “It is a great thrill to merge with the team of the centre, to see its work from the inside and to be able to head the centre in the following years.”

Col Tamm handed Col. Suzik the flag of the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and planted an oak that will remain there to mark his period of service. Col. Tamm will continue his studies at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London.

The NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn is an international military organisation established in 2008, the mission of which is to improve the capability of NATO member countries and partners to address cyber defence issues.