Objectives:
The purpose of this article is to identify and analyze the models of cyber-deterrence in operation in Finland and other Nordic countries, within the context of national security. The study aims to demonstrate how cyber-deterrence in these nations is linked to broader institutional, societal, and strategic conditions, and how it integrates into the concept of comprehensive security. Adopting a comparative perspective also makes it possible to highlight elements specific to the Finnish model of cyber-deterrence when viewed against the backdrop of regional approaches.

Methods:
The article is based on a qualitative analysis of strategic documents, policy frameworks, and academic literature concerning cybersecurity, deterrence in cyberspace, and national resilience. A comparative analysis was employed to examine the approaches adopted in Finland and other Nordic countries, alongside an institutional analysis used to assess the roles of public administration, local government, and cross-sectoral cooperation in building cyber-deterrence.

Results:
The analysis indicates that in Finland and the Nordic countries, cyber-deterrence is not based on a logic of retaliation, but rather on strengthening institutional resilience, ensuring operational continuity, and maintaining the state’s ability to function amidst disruptions. This form of deterrence is systemic and indirect, rooted in organizational cohesion, inter-institutional coordination, and the integration of cybersecurity into the concept of comprehensive security.

Conclusions:
Research findings confirm that the effectiveness of cyber-deterrence in the Finnish model stems from the long-term strengthening of state capabilities, rather than from a display of force in cyberspace. Cybersecurity emerges as a key component of national security, inextricably linked to the social, institutional, and economic processes unfolding amidst digital transformation.