Cybernetica AS History

History

The history of Cybernetica starts in 1960, when the Estonian Academy of Sciences Institute of Cybernetics was founded. Its main responsibility was the development of computer hardware and software and the conduct of research on applied mathematics, including mechanics and cybernetics.

The growing importance of microprocessor technology lead in 1976 to the establishment of the Computer Engineering Special Construction Bureau (EKTA) at the institute. By the late 1980s, both the institute and EKTA had matured into a strong research and development (R&D) centre whose co-partners and customers were the major science organizations and construction bureaus across the Soviet Union. However, during and after the Estonian re-independence, contacts with former partners were lost while new cooperation ties with Western partners were scarce, which in turn reduced the volume of R&D.

The birth of Cybernetica as a private company considerably benefited from the re-independent Estonia's new organization of research, the cornerstone of which was the merger of the Academy of Sciences' institutes with universities. As the universities were mainly interested in fundamental research conducted at the institutes, rather than doing R&D, it was sensible to divide the Institute of Cybernetics in two. It created a fundamental research division, which later grew into the Institute of Cybernetics at Tallinn University of Technology, and an applied R&D division, which in 1997 became the R&D company known as Cybernetica. Both divisions maintain the legacy of the original, 1960 Institute of Cybernetics.

Cybernetica today is a developer and producer of hardware and software systems, a system integrator, an auditor of information systems, and an information security Center of Excellence.

Cybernetica produces LED navigation and telematics equipment, builds marine monitoring and radio communication systems for marine traffic control, develops software solutions to support an information society, researches theoretical and practical information security solutions and facilitates their deployment.

Since the re-independence, Cybernetica's most forward-looking partner has been the Estonian Maritime Administration, commissioning and inspiring the development of LED-based navigation and marine communication systems. After years of original work in both areas, Cybernetica has reached the highest standards of excellence. Estonian waterways are now equipped with modern navigation equipment and LED devices, whereas marine navigation systems have become Cybernetica's main export articles. In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, hundreds of police patrol vehicles have been equipped with advanced communication equipment, while border monitoring systems (inc. those monitoring the Eastern border of the EU) satisfy the most stringent requirements. The company's activities in the areas of information security and cryptography research stem from participation in related government programs.

Cybernetica's products and services are aimed at the public sector, large enterprises, and solution and service providers.

Cybernetica positions itself as an internationally renowned, sustainable centre of excellence.