Tallinn has hosted leaders for the EU's first summit wholly dedicated to digital issues
ADVERTISEMENTFor citizens and entrepreneurs, digital access is a way of life in Estonia with almost all government services online.
You can vote, sign official documents and set up businesses – all without paper.
But what about the risk of hacking?
Estonia takes online security seriously after being hit by cyber attacks on private and government Internet sites a decade ago after a Soviet-era statue was removed from a square in the capital, Tallinn.
Authorities now urge individuals to play their part in keeping data safe.
“For citizens the most important thing they have to understand is cyber-hygiene,” said Klaid Magi of Estonia’s Information System Authority.
“They have to be ready and they have to be ready for different kind of attacks. And they have to know what kinds of threats are waiting for them in the cyber domain.”
We've had most inspiring & valuable debate today at #TallinnDigitalSummit. Digital revolution is here to stay. Let's make the most of it. pic.twitter.com/GCKG9BjKI6
— Jüri Ratas (@ratasjuri) 29 septembre 2017
EU leaders were briefed on the risks by Jarni Limnel, a professor of cyber security, who says enemy foreign powers or terrorists could cause mayhem for Europe.
“Just imagine what would happen if we would have for a long time no electricity,” he said.
“On the other hand, I would say that the financial sector is one of the key targets if someone, for some reason, would like to harm Western societies.”
The Tallinn Digital Summit has focussed attention on the high stakes for the EU, with a call for closer cooperation by member states.
with Reuters