HiQ is supporting Svenska Spel in introducing agentic AI in a secure and controlled way. The aim is to create a future-ready environment where autonomous agents can be deployed safely, with clear governance and full control. 

– Svenska Spel is taking exactly the right approach by building a secure foundation before scaling the use of agentic AI. While traditional AI mainly provides answers and recommendations, autonomous agents can take initiative and perform tasks independently, which increases the attack surface, says Pernilla Rönn, Head of Cybersecurity at HiQ. 

Autonomous agents introduce new requirements for control, transparency and governance from the outset. To enable developers and organisations to benefit from the technology without losing oversight, security must be built into the environment from the very beginning. 

As part of the engagement, HiQ and Svenska Spel are establishing security principles for the agent environment. This includes guidelines for approved AI agents and tools, as well as a structured risk and control framework for the use of autonomous AI. 

– Our role is to make security practical and achievable. We translate the risks associated with autonomous agents into concrete controls, well-designed architecture and everyday development practices. These risks can include excessive privileges, chained tool calls and decisions being made without human involvement, says Pernilla Rönn. 

The initiative enables Svenska Spel to realise the potential of autonomous AI without compromising security or regulatory compliance. 

The collaboration further strengthens HiQ’s position in AI and cybersecurity. HiQ combines advanced technology with robust security solutions and strong governance to help organisations innovate securely and build long-term, sustainable digital capabilities. 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is now warning that these developments could have consequences extending far beyond individual companies and banks. According to the IMF, AI-driven cyberattacks could evolve into a threat to global financial stability.

In a recent analysis, the IMF highlights how artificial intelligence enables more sophisticated cyberattacks to be carried out faster, at lower cost, and on a much larger scale than ever before. At the same time, the financial sector is becoming increasingly dependent on shared digital infrastructure, meaning that a single vulnerability could affect multiple organisations simultaneously.

“Cyber risk is no longer just an issue for the IT department. It is a strategic issue for executive management and boards, and ultimately a matter of societal resilience,” says Pernilla Rönn, Head of Cybersecurity at HiQ.

AI Increases the Risk of Systemic Cyberattacks

The IMF argues that AI lowers the barrier to sophisticated cyberattacks by automating the process of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities. As a result, a wider range of threat actors can carry out attacks that previously required highly specialised technical expertise.

The IMF also warns that the financial sector’s reliance on shared platforms, cloud services and payment infrastructure increases the risk of so-called correlated attacks, where multiple organisations are affected at the same time.

The consequences could be far-reaching. Disruptions to payment systems, credit markets and other critical functions may lead to liquidity stress, loss of confidence and, in the worst-case scenario, threaten financial stability.

Resilience Becomes Critical in a Digital Society

Sweden is one of the world’s most digitalised societies. BankID, Swish and digital payments have become an integral part of everyday life for both individuals and businesses.

While this creates significant opportunities, it also increases dependence on reliable digital infrastructure.

“Much of our financial ecosystem is built on shared platforms and services. If a critical component is compromised, the consequences can spread rapidly across organisations and sectors,” says Pernilla Rönn.

Defences Must Evolve as Quickly as the Threats

AI is not only being used by attackers. The technology is also becoming an increasingly important tool for detecting intrusions, identifying anomalies and automating security operations.

However, the IMF stresses that investing in new technology alone is not enough. Organisations must also strengthen their resilience through robust governance, business continuity planning, incident management and regular stress testing.

The IMF calls for a stronger focus on resilience — the ability to withstand, respond to and recover from attacks when they occur, rather than focusing solely on prevention.

Cybersecurity as a Boardroom Issue

For businesses and organisations, these developments mean that cybersecurity must become an integral part of business strategy.

“The security of the future will not be determined solely by the technology organisations use, but by how quickly they can adapt to a threat landscape that changes in real time. Leadership teams need to view cybersecurity as a business-critical issue and invest in resilience, not just in new digital capabilities,” says Pernilla Rönn.

The IMF’s message is clear: as AI amplifies cyber threats, cybersecurity must be treated as an issue of financial stability, critical societal functions and long-term resilience — not merely as a technical IT concern.

With 30 years of experience in developing mission-critical software for defence and security, HiQ is now launching an integrated offering for next-generation defence capabilities.

The offering includes intelligent solutions where AI and software are embedded in everything from sensors and platforms to decision support, command-and-control systems, and simulation.

As an approved NATO supplier and one of the Nordic region’s most experienced players in security-classified development, HiQ is now strengthening its position within defence and security.

HiQ’s new offering covers the entire chain, from embedded systems and autonomous platforms to digital command-and-control and advanced simulation. It also includes data and integration solutions as well as secure software development for safety-critical environments.

“Software has become the backbone of modern defence capabilities. We are now building intelligence into every layer of the systems. The challenge is not only to develop more solutions, but to create environments where secure, traceable and verifiable software can be developed and deployed at the pace demanded by the geopolitical situation,” says Victor Nyberg, Defence Industry Expert at HiQ.

EU and NATO initiatives in defence, innovation and AI are at the same time driving new demands on how quickly the defence sector can turn software, data and integration into real operational capability. HiQ therefore sees a growing need for partners who can combine deep technical expertise and experience from safety-critical operations with the ability to take responsibility for the entire value chain, from sensors and platforms to command-and-control systems, simulation and decision support.

“With more than thirty years of experience from the Nordic and European defence industry, we have built a strong capability to connect hardware, software and operational delivery. The combination of deep technical expertise, experience of safety-critical environments and a strong local presence in the Nordics and Europe is a clear strength for us and our customers,” says Victor Nyberg, Defence Industry Expert at HiQ.

HiQ has extensive experience working with leading players in the defence industry and is approved as a technology supplier to NATO as well as a member of the Finnish Digital Defence Ecosystem. Today, the company works with everything from advanced simulation environments and AI-based systems to cybersecurity, safety-critical solutions for vital societal functions, as well as support in building structures, ways of working and platforms for secure large-scale software development.

EcoGuard has developed a new product for smart buildings that gathers and presents data in a simple way, in a flexible solution that can be updated over time without needing to be replaced. HiQ has been chosen as the development partner, with an assignment that covers everything from the technology installed in the building to the user-friendly interface.

EcoGuard’s new product, Air Portal, functions as a digital hub in the property, collecting data from various meters and sensors and providing the basis for analysis and billing. The product is built on an open architecture, which means it can be adapted over time as technology changes, since much of the data collection, storage and export takes place directly in Air Portal.

“We are seeing strong demand for using data in smarter ways, in everything from buildings to industry. This assignment shows how we create value by combining technology, design and user experience in a single solution,” says Per Gustafsson, Regional Manager, HiQ Mälardalen.

The collaboration with EcoGuard strengthens HiQ’s position as a leading partner for delivering complete connected solutions throughout the entire process, from connected products to systems and intuitive user interfaces.
 
Strong team behind the delivery

HiQ has had a cross-functional team in place from the start and, in close collaboration with EcoGuard, has worked on the entire solution, from connectivity to finished service. The project has brought together specialist expertise in radio communication, systems architecture and design, which has made it possible to build a robust and user-friendly end-to-end solution.
 

“By bringing all the necessary expertise together in a single team, HiQ can better support the customer throughout the entire process. We are proud to be a partner throughout the journey and to contribute to a product that delivers substantial business value,” says Per Gustafsson, Regional Manager, HiQ Mälardalen.

For EcoGuard, the collaboration with HiQ means that development can be driven in a unified way with one partner who takes responsibility for both the technical platform in the background and the interface that customers work with every day. This results in shorter decision paths, clearer accountability and a faster route from idea to finished functionality.

About EcoGuard
EcoGuard is a Swedish company that helps property owners and housing companies to collect, analyse and use data from their buildings. With a focus on energy monitoring, metering and digital services, EcoGuard makes it easier to make decisions that save energy, reduce costs and create sustainable living environments.