Insta - Experts & Thought Leaders

Insta, a trusted cybersecurity and defense technology provider, has launched Insta DomainLink Secret™, a high-performance cross-domain solution (CDS) for secure, real-time data exchange between different networks and systems. Modern technological solution enables real-time, secure bi-directional data transfer between military domains, such as land, maritime, and air, and security clearance between different classification levels across the chain of command. Advanced operational security Developed in collaboration with Lockheed Martin for the exchange of data in complex military network environments, its advanced operational security and cybersecurity capabilities help safeguard data against threats. The system also enables improved situational awareness and faster tactical decision-making across military domains. Modern military operations need quick data-centric decision-making Typically, military branches, such as the navy and air defense, have their own command and control systems Typically, military branches, such as the navy and air defense, have their own command and control systems with limited ability to exchange information in a controlled way due to a lack of proper cybersecurity controls to enable connections. This can slow decision-making, which reduces situational awareness and might jeopardize the mission and put troops at risk. Multi-domain operations refer to military operations that integrate and synchronize actions across multiple military branches to achieve a key strategic objective. For example, a major NATO mission can include land, maritime, air, space, and cyber operations – all taking place at the same time over a vast area. The more NATO operatives participate, the more complex the data exchange between different networks and systems becomes. Real-time sharing of data and its effects “For example, if there were a military conflict in Europe, it would be necessary to communicate critical information between different systems and chains of command. An F-35 on a stealth mission needs to be able to share the information that all of its sophisticated sensor systems detect with the rest of the forces." "If the aircraft detects an enemy threat, you need to decide very quickly who responds to it: the air force, a navy vessel, or ground-based assets? Real-time sharing of data and its effects across all branches is critical for both command and on-field operatives to effectively respond to threats and achieve high joint operational capability,” says Petri Reiman, Senior Vice President, Defense and Cyber Security at Insta. Tailor-made keys are on the way to being replaced by flexible systems Insta DomainLink Secret™ introduces a new level of agility, empowering system operators themselves to adapt In order to benefit from cross-domain technologies in the past, it has been necessary to have them tailor-made, or they have required complex coding and scripting, slowing down their implementation. Programming or scripting-based solutions are further limited by static, pre-defined rule sets that could not be changed during real-time operation. Any changes require re-coding and testing by a developer. In contrast, Insta DomainLink Secret™ introduces a new level of agility, empowering system operators themselves to adapt and refine operational rules instantly, without technical bottlenecks.  Data superiority and increasing cyber threats drive asset in defense The last few years have also seen a rise in cyber attacks targeting defense systems and the military. Governments have responded, with, for example, the UK increasing spending on cyber capabilities in 2025. Additionally, at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, member states pledged to spend 5% of GDP on defense by 2035, with 1.5% dedicated towards cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. Insta DomainLink Secret™’s filtering feature Insta DomainLink Secret™’s filtering feature allows users to control data flows and who has access to them While mission-critical data is available from multiple sources in the field, certain information should not be shared across the entire chain of command.  To ensure operational security for any mission or procedures, Insta DomainLink Secret™’s filtering feature allows users to control data flows and who has access to them. In practice, the system can be programmed to control what information is transmitted, what information can be received or even what data, for example, a radar is permitted to send out. Challenges of the modern defense and military realities “Information superiority is a key dimension of multi-domain operations – you simply must have a full operational picture available at all times. Our Cross Domain Solution has been specifically developed to meet the increasing challenges of the modern defense and military realities, including cyber threats." "Our decades of experience in demanding defense solutions and strong focus on developing state-of-the-art command and control systems utilizing data and AI put us in a unique position to offer secure solutions for NATO needs,” says Reiman. Performance and security in critical environments Insta DomainLink Secret™ is built on FPGA technology that enables hardware-based content validation and filtering To further enhance performance and security in critical environments, Insta DomainLink Secret™ is built on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology that enables hardware-based content validation and filtering, enhancing performance and security in critical environments.  Additionally, FPGA technology is highly adaptable and can be reconfigured to different situations and threats as the hardware does not need to be removed for updates. Integrating the new fighter’s systems The F-35 stealth fighters, which Finland will start receiving in 2026, are known as the world’s most modern and versatile fighter jets. In addition to maintaining the aircraft’s avionics systems, Insta will also be responsible for integrating the new fighter’s systems with the Finnish command and control systems in collaboration with the Finnish Defense Forces. Insta will showcase the solution at DSEI UK 2025 organized in London 9–12 September.

Technology company Insta and the Finnish Defense Forces have agreed on a three-year acquisition package related to Finland's F-35 fighter program. The acquisition is based on the strategic partnership agreement between the Finnish Defense Forces and Insta and covers the years 2024–2026. The acquisition covers, among other things, building maintenance and service capabilities for the avionics of the Finnish Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II multi-role fighters, i.e., the plane’s electronic systems, as well as related support services. The F-35 fighters will be put into service from 2026 onwards. Partnership with the Finnish Defense Forces This agreement ensures in part that Finland has the necessary competences and the ability to maintain the F-35 systems and security of supply for decades to come. The systems in the F-35 fighter jet require special expertise and a broad understanding of technology. Long-term cooperation, a strategic partnership with the Finnish Defense Forces, and earlier fighter purchases have resulted in Insta accumulating strong technology and business area expertise that can support the security of supply of the Finnish Defense Forces’ critical systems, even during emergencies. The systems in the F-35 fighter jet require special expertise and a broad understanding of technology "So far, Insta has been responsible for the maintenance of the avionics systems on the Hornet fighter jets. Building capability for maintaining the F-35’s avionics systems allows for us to establish a strong continuum of competence regarding critical systems and technology and, with the introduction of new technology, also provides new types of opportunities for further developing competence," says Ville Kettula, Insta’s VP for the aviation business. A shared situational awareness is decisive With Finland’s accession into NATO, defense systems are being increasingly cross-border connected, the amount of data is growing, and the technology is advancing at a record pace. Being able to leverage this data for leadership and the forming of a situational picture will be decisive in terms of warfare. The F-35 stealth fighters, which Finland will start receiving in 2026, are known as the world’s most modern and versatile fighter jets. They are also flying data links that continuously gather a situational awareness of their environment and compare it to threats. The planes share data among themselves and with the ground forces, thereby enabling them to be used for surveillance and reconnaissance duties as well. Advancement of technology and equipment The piled data is simultaneously relayed to all plans that have joined the data link The advanced sensor technology allows for detecting the own aircrafts, vehicles, ships, and troops as well as those of the enemy and unknown units. The stealth capabilities of this fifth-generation fighter enable it to see further than the distance required for its detection. The gathered information is simultaneously relayed to all systems that have joined the data link. "The advancement of technology and equipment at record pace will also emphasize the significance of preventive maintenance and repair, not to mention cyber security. In addition to maintaining the aircraft’s avionics systems, Insta will also be responsible for integrating the new fighter’s systems with the Finnish command & control systems together with the Finnish Defense Forces," Kettula explains. Research and product development In addition to maintenance activities, Insta has engaged in continuous research and product development work in order to improve the operational reliability, flight safety, and performance of the fighters. Finland will receive a total of 64 F-35 fighters. The aircraft has an estimated service life of 30 years, which means that there will be work to be done well into the future. NATO offers new international opportunities for Insta Insta’s AirC2 product family contains solutions for the integrated command of air defense As a provider of maintenance for the F-35 fighter fleet’s avionics, Insta is part of Lockheed Martin’s global maintenance network and, a contracting partner to the aircraft manufacturer. "We have the opportunity to provide maintenance and repair services for avionics systems on F-35 fighters even outside of Finland. The potential market is extensive since several NATO countries have chosen F-35 fighters," says Petri Reiman, Senior Vice President for Insta Advance. In addition to avionics, Insta’s Defense business focuses on command & control systems, simulators, cyber security, and system integrations for connected defense. Insta’s AirC2 product family, for example, contains solutions for the integrated command of air defense in terms of both anti-aircraft and fighter defense. Agreement with NCIA "Insta’s solutions are state of the art in terms of the level of integration and the capability in terms of different systems and service branches. NATO is strongly emphasizing multi-domain thinking, where such integration is a key factor; this makes our solutions interesting to others," Reiman explains. In March of this year, Insta signed a collaboration agreement with the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA). The agreement enables Insta to offer the NCI Agency, for NATO’s own needs or for use in other NATO countries, commercial off-the-shelf products (COTS) and services, such as situational picture systems, command & control systems and cyber security services, data encryption and gateway solutions as well as software services. Already in 2023, Insta and Lockheed Martin signed a collaboration agreement on the development of the next-generation data relay and filtering solution. The signed agreement was the first project related to the indirect industrial cooperation of Finland’s F-35 fighter project.

Finnish high-technology company Insta and Lockheed Martin Corporation have signed a cooperation agreement for developing next-generation security and gateway solutions. This is the first agreement under indirect industrial cooperation in the Finland acquisition of the 5th Generation F-35. During the project, Insta and Lockheed Martin will develop together a Cross Domain Solution, a bi-directional next-generation network security & gateway solution for demanding military use that enables cooperation in various security-level networks. Network security and data encryption solutions Insta has long experience in developing demanding data filtering and data encryption solutions Insta, which is focused on smart technology and cyber security, has long experience in developing demanding data filtering, network security, and data encryption solutions. With this cooperation, the solution is further developed for future data filtering needs. “The cooperation enables us to expand our comprehensive and versatile product family of network security and data encryption solutions. This kind of gateway solution is needed in multi-domain operations. Command and control systems heavily rely on tactical communication capability to coordinate and execute operations effectively and our solutions address both Cyber and Operational security aspects,” tells Petri Reiman, Senior Vice President from Insta. Technological capabilities of both companies By combining the expertise and technological capabilities of both companies the goal of the two-year project is to develop a product that can also be offered to the international market. Insta is a strategic partner of the Finnish Defense Forces and one of Finland’s key partners for cyber security, offering a wide range of services from consultancy to cyber-attack prevention and from network security to secure digital device identity, and has operated in the defense market for more than 50 years. Deliver superior performance to customers through command-and-control solutions, secure communication solutions, and life-cycle services in avionics.  Services and products are trusted by corporations and public sector organizations in Finland and abroad.