Ukraine orders government agencies to urgently strengthen cybersecurity
The Ukrainian government has ordered central executive agencies to form specialist cybersecurity teams, recruit specialists, and procure and deploy necessary software. The measures follow Russian attacks that damaged about 10 Kyiv data centres in September, amid growing use of artificial intelligence in cyber operations.
Key points
- Central executive agencies must urgently form specialist cybersecurity teams
- Agencies must secure funding, recruit specialists, and procure necessary software
- About 10 Kyiv data centres were damaged in September
- Damage to PaVutyna and Utels data centres disrupted internet service for about 100,000 subscribers
- The state allocated 518.3 million hryvnias from the reserve fund for backup government information systems
- State information systems and Ukrainian businesses are among the principal targets of cyberattacks
- Russian hackers are increasingly using artificial intelligence in attacks
Why it matters
The government is seeking to strengthen the protection and continuity of digital public services after systematic Russian attacks damaged data centres and disrupted connectivity. The planned teams, software and backup systems are intended to extend the AI-based defensive capabilities already held by key state digital organisations to all government institutions.
What happened
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi instructed the heads of central executive agencies to form specialist cybersecurity teams, staff them with qualified specialists, allocate funds, procure the required tools and software, and put them into operation. The government had already earmarked 518.3 million hryvnias from the reserve fund at the end of September for backup information systems for state agencies following attacks on data centres. The response came after about 10 Kyiv data centres were damaged in September. Earlier attacks caused internet problems for nearly 100,000 subscribers, while other damage disrupted several media outlets.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focuses on the government’s immediate operational response: forming cybersecurity teams, recruiting specialists, securing funding and software, and creating backup information systems. It also highlights the September damage to about 10 Kyiv data centres and stresses that AI-based defences used by key state digital organisations should be extended to all government institutions.
Background
Russian attacks have damaged individual Kyiv providers and data centres, disrupting internet service for subscribers and interrupting the work of several media outlets. Russian hackers are reportedly using artificial intelligence more frequently against Ukrainian state information systems and businesses. The state has allocated more than half a billion hryvnias to digital-infrastructure protection, including 518.3 million hryvnians from the reserve fund for backup information systems.