Nataliya Tkachuk: Today, russia is conducting a cyber war not only against Ukraine but also against the EU and NATO countries

Representatives of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and the National Department of Cybersecurity of Romania held cybersecurity training for local communities, critical infrastructure facilities, and students in the Chernivtsi region. The event was organized by the Chernivtsi Military Administration and supported by the U.S. Department of State and CRDF Global in Ukraine.

«Cybersecurity is an important component of Ukraine's national security and the collective security of the whole civilized world. Cyberattacks have already become an integral tool used by the enemy against our country. However, today russia is conducting a cyberwar not only against Ukraine, but also against the countries of the European Union and NATO, and we understand that it will continue in cyberspace even after the end of military actions on the battlefield. So today, it is more important than ever to be able to respond effectively and promptly to cyber threats at all levels: both at the national and regional levels within the country, and at the international level, in cooperation with our partners. Such joint exercises and exchange of experience with Romanian colleagues is one of the important steps to strengthen our cyber resilience», – said the Head of the Information Security and Cybersecurity Service of the NSDC of Ukraine, Secretary of the NCSCC Nataliya Tkachuk.

Nataliia Tkachuk thanked the team of the Chernivtsi RMA for their commitment to strengthening the skills and knowledge of cybersecurity professionals in the region. She also thanked the Romanian National Directorate for Cybersecurity for its cooperation in ensuring peace and security in cyberspace.

«Our joint efforts are aimed at ensuring the protection and security of networks in the Black Sea region, taking into account current challenges and threats. During the war, information and cybersecurity is an extremely important component of the region's security. The enemy uses a variety of tools to inflict as much damage as possible on Ukraine. That’s why, together with the NCSCC and Romanian partners, we conduct training and practical activities to improve the skills of cybersecurity specialists in the region,», – said Ruslan Zaparaniuk, Head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration.

90% of critical cyber incidents happen in the regions. Therefore, more than 50 representatives of cybersecurity entities and critical infrastructure facilities in the region discussed in detail the key threats to regional cybersecurity and areas of counteraction. Particular attention was paid to problematic issues of cooperation at the regional level and challenges in raising awareness of cybersecurity.

Alina Urs, Senior Coordinator for Cybersecurity at the NATO, UN and OSCE Liaison Service of the National Directorate for Cybersecurity of Romania, noted that Ukraine's experience is unique on a global scale.

«During the full-scale invasion of russia, your country showed remarkable resilience and continues to strengthen its cyber defense. And today, Romania, along with other countries of the democratic world, has a lot to learn from Ukraine's experience», – added Alina Urs.

Strengthening human resources in the field of cybersecurity is one of the priorities of the Cybersecurity Strategy of Ukraine. Therefore, during their working visit to Chernivtsi, representatives of the NCSCC and the Romanian Department of Cybersecurity gave several lectures to students of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University.

The events took place within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cybersecurity Cooperation, which the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center and the National Directorate for Cybersecurity of Romania signed in April 2023.