EASS Internal Security Institute (ISI) is leading internal security-related Master’s programs with micro-credentials on the national and European level as well as on the research and projects in the field of internal security. In 2022, ISI established the Research Centre. The Centre performs research in the field of internal security. It integrates different research areas of internal security for the science-based support in the field, studies important issues of internal security, international trends and their impact on Estonia, conducts joint research with other structural units, universities, and research institutions, presents research results in the Academy’s and international scientific journals.
The EASS publishes two academic journals „Security Spectrum: Journal of Advanced Security Research“ (formerly, until 2022 known as Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences) and „Turvalisuskompass“. Both journals are published twice a year.
So far in last 11 years, „Security Spectrum“ (formerly known as „Proceedings of the EASS“) has published 68 peer-reviewed articles.
"Security Spectrum" and „Turvalisuskompass“ are referenced by Central & Eastern European Academic Source (EBSCO).
ISI researchers deliver research reports, thought papers, monographies, organizes scientific conferences, colloquiums, virtual round tables and seminars.
Main focus of research lays on crises and resilience; hybrid threats and strategic communication; cyberspace, e-governance, and mass data; cybersecurity; terrorism and radicalisation; civil protection; impact of organized crime (including financial crime and money laundering); security and safety of the Baltic States; impact of threats from Russia on safety and security; impact of threats from China on safety and security; integrated border management and security in Europe; studies on administrative and criminal law and migration studies.
EASS has contributed to the implementation of Frontex-led European Joint Masters in Strategic Border Management since 2015. EASS contributed to the delivery of M0, M1, M2, M5, M7 and M8 and participated in QAB and in the Governing Board.
In 2022, EASS in cooperation with Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) Lithuania and Police Academy of the Ministry of the Interior of Croatia submitted Erasmus+ application for the development of an international Master level Curriculum on Tackling Hybrid Threats. Project HYBRIDC (2022-1-EE01-KA220-HED-000089329) is a 3 years project that started with the general training on hybrid threats and the models of their appearance in Autumn 2022. EASS is the Project Coordinator. Project involves academic staff members and researchers who will develop Curriculum, but also representatives of EU Agencies, bodies, ministries, members of Parliaments, end-users- law enforcement and other internal security authorities, representatives of the private sector and entrepreneurs.
EASS is also coordinating Erasmus+ funded HYBRIDIM project (Project 101127138) aiming to establish an architecture for a joint 90 ECTS international Master’s programme in 3 universities: EASS, MRU and RSU(Riga Stradins University) of the Baltic states that can be delivered later by a consortium of HEIs. HYBRIDIM will develop all requested documents connected to the implementation of activities of joint degrees. HYBRIDIM will foster excellence and internationalisation of higher education institutions via the preparation of all requested preconditions for further implementation of the Master’s level study programme. HYBRIDIM will have 11 outputs, the most important one being the upgraded and nationally endorsed EQF level 7 joint curriculum Tackling Hybrid Threats in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as all relevant procedures for the students and academic staff members. The total number of beneficiaries in academic institutions under the HYBRIDIM project is 50. Further implementation of the Master’s course on Tackling Hybrid Threats will end up with 250 direct beneficiaries involving academic institutions, students and end-users. The final number of beneficiaries would be thousands. Beneficiaries are officials, private and public sector workers, academic staff members and others who are responsible for ensuring internal security in the Baltic states, in the EU and on CSDP missions as the graduates will turn gained knowledge into practice in preventing and combating cases of hybrid nature.