Between pressure and protection: Security requirements for classified information in the contemporary defence industry
Mattinen, Paavo (2025)
2025
Master's Programme in Security and Safety Management
Johtamisen ja talouden tiedekunta - Faculty of Management and Business
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2025-11-12
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-2025111210565
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-2025111210565
Tiivistelmä
The contemporary security environment has intensified the discussion for a genuine need to strengthen and expand the defence markets to align with the paradigm shift exemplified by the war in Ukraine. This thesis examines how the regulation and control of classified information impacts the development of defence technologies, by approaching how the security requirements for classified information impact businesses.
The thesis addresses the issues through qualitative research methods, by employing document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The policy and regulatory frameworks are identified to construct an understanding of the security requirements. Thematic analysis on the interview data investigates the practical implications and challenges the security requirements pose towards businesses.
The results indicate that the security requirements for classified information hinder businesses’ ability to enter the defence markets, potentially constituting a barrier of entry, particularly for SMEs and start-ups. It was identified that this potential barrier of entry originates from the governance mechanisms through the regulation controlling classified information. The results similarly highlight an urgent need to adjust and strengthen the policies and regulations controlling classified information to match the contemporary environment and to facilitate concrete pathways for new businesses into the defence industry.
The thesis addresses the issues through qualitative research methods, by employing document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The policy and regulatory frameworks are identified to construct an understanding of the security requirements. Thematic analysis on the interview data investigates the practical implications and challenges the security requirements pose towards businesses.
The results indicate that the security requirements for classified information hinder businesses’ ability to enter the defence markets, potentially constituting a barrier of entry, particularly for SMEs and start-ups. It was identified that this potential barrier of entry originates from the governance mechanisms through the regulation controlling classified information. The results similarly highlight an urgent need to adjust and strengthen the policies and regulations controlling classified information to match the contemporary environment and to facilitate concrete pathways for new businesses into the defence industry.