The 13th meeting of the National Cyber Security Cluster was held on the topic "Cyber security at the local level: regional challenges and border protection"

On July 28, 2022, the thirteenth meeting of the National Cyber Security Cluster on the topic "Cyber Security at the Local Level: Regional Challenges and Border Protection" was held, organized by the National Cyber Security Coordination Center in cooperation with the US Civilian Research and Development Foundation with the support of the US Department of State.

The event was held for the first time in the city of Uzhhorod, and in online and offline mode gathered more than 270 representatives of the state, private sectors, scientific community from all over Ukraine and representatives of international organizations from the USA, EU member states, NATO, etc.

Opening the meeting, Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Serhiy Demedyuk emphasized that in the conditions of military aggression by the russian federation, the issue of ensuring cyber security at the regional level has become even more urgent, since each of its elements is both a "protective shield" for the country and a "target" for the enemy

Viktor Mykyta, the head of Zakarpattia Oblast, noted that the border territories face a number of additional challenges, in particular, in the field of cyber security, and drew attention to the regional features of Zakarpattia Oblast, which contribute to the development of the IT community and public-private interaction.

The Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleg Hayduk announced the Defense Hackathon, which is organized by the Ministry of Defense in cooperation with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the NCSCC, with the support, in particular, of partners from the United States.

Head of the NCSCC Support Service of the NSDC Staff Serhiy Prokopenko emphasized that with the beginning of the large-scale aggression of the russian federation, the landscape of cyber threats changed, which was caused by the movement of citizens, the relocation of organizations and institutions, and the need to move information resources to safer locations. As a result, the focus of cyberattacks has significantly shifted from Kyiv to regional and local authorities and infrastructure facilities.

Head of CRDF Global Operations, Mykhailo Verych, noted that the decision to hold the First Regional Cluster was made jointly with the NCSCC in order to emphasize the importance of each region as a player in the national cyber security system, and to involve the main actors in ensuring cyber security.

Cluster participants discussed the current situation in the field of cyber security in the regions and borders of Ukraine, the main challenges and threats taking into account russian aggression in cyberspace, proposed a number of initiatives and projects aimed at increasing the level of cyber security of Ukraine and strengthening cooperation between the state, the academic community, and the private sector.