Kood Letter #0 Pilot | Kood Letter

Welcome to the first edition of Kood Letter! This month we’re covering the latest developments in the Estonian IT ecosystem, important cybersecurity updates, upcoming events, and exciting job opportunities.

Top Estonian IT News/Stories

Major Tech Company Expands Operations in Tallinn

A leading international tech company has announced plans to expand its operations in Tallinn, creating over 200 new positions in software development and engineering. This expansion reflects Estonia’s growing reputation as a tech hub in the Baltic region.

New Government Digital Initiative Launches

The Estonian government has launched a new digital initiative aimed at improving public services through AI and machine learning. The project is expected to streamline citizen services and reduce administrative overhead.

Estonian Startup Raises €5M Series A

A promising Estonian fintech startup has successfully closed a €5 million Series A funding round. The company plans to use the funds to expand its team and develop new features for its platform.

Open Source Community Growth

The Estonian open source community has seen significant growth this month, with several new projects gaining traction on GitHub. Local developers are contributing to both local and international open source initiatives.

Cyber(Attack/Vulnerability of the Month)

Critical Vulnerability in Popular E-Government Service

A critical security vulnerability was discovered in a widely-used e-government service. The vulnerability, which could have allowed unauthorized access to citizen data, was promptly patched within 48 hours of discovery. This incident highlights the importance of regular security audits and rapid response protocols.

Recommendations:

Ensure all e-government services are updated to the latest version
Review access logs for any suspicious activity
Report any anomalies to the Estonian Information System Authority (RIA)

Phishing Campaign Targets IT Professionals

A sophisticated phishing campaign has been targeting IT professionals in Estonia, using fake job offers and conference invitations. The attackers are using social engineering techniques to gain access to corporate credentials.

Protection Tips:

Always verify the sender’s email address
Be cautious of unsolicited job offers or invitations
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible
Report suspicious emails to your IT security team

Upcoming Events (CTFs and Hackathons)

Estonian CTF Championship 2025

Date: February 10-11, 2025
Location: Tallinn University of Technology
Description: The annual Estonian Capture The Flag competition brings together cybersecurity enthusiasts from across the country. Teams will compete in various challenges including web security, cryptography, reverse engineering, and forensics.

Registration: Register here

Tallinn Hackathon 2025

Date: February 20-22, 2025
Location: Tallinn Creative Hub
Description: A 48-hour hackathon focused on building innovative solutions for Estonian businesses. Participants will work in teams to develop prototypes addressing real-world challenges.

Themes:

Digital transformation
Sustainability tech
Healthcare innovation
Smart city solutions

Registration: Register here

Baltic Tech Meetup

Date: March 5, 2025
Location: Online
Description: Monthly virtual meetup for tech professionals across the Baltic region. This month’s topic: “The Future of Cloud Computing in Estonia.”

Registration: Register here