U.S. and Denmark join forces to bolster Ukraine's cybersecurity
Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)
The United States and Denmark will assist Ukraine in reducing vulnerability and strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure to cyber threats, according to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.
It's noted that the United States and Denmark will assist Ukraine in reducing vulnerability and strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure against cyber threats through the USAID project Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine activity. Denmark is investing $2.8 million in this project.
"Since 2014 and particularly since the run-up to its brutal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian Federation has targeted cyberattacks against Ukraine’s government institutions and critical infrastructure such as telecommunications, electricity, and data storage systems," the statement reads.
What exactly will the help consist of
The United States, with this new support from Denmark, will continue its efforts to strengthen Ukraine's cybersecurity environment. This includes enhancing legislative, regulatory, and institutional frameworks, as well as training cybersecurity professionals, including improving the qualifications of existing specialists. Additionally, there is a focus on building a pool of experts in the field of cybersecurity, fostering greater trust, and strengthening cooperation between the private and public sectors with the aim of creating a more resilient cybersecurity sector in Ukraine. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink has stated that expanding Ukraine's capabilities in cybersecurity is critically necessary to protect government institutions and critical infrastructure from the numerous cyberattacks directed by Russia against Ukraine.
New Zealand will also provide assistance to Ukraine
The United States has expressed pride in its partnership with Denmark and New Zealand within the framework of the USAID project Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine and hopes for continued close cooperation.
By joining this project, Denmark expresses its support for the Ukrainian people, helping to defend Ukraine against cyberattacks. In early 2023, New Zealand contributed to cybersecurity programs by investing 0.49 million dollars.
Russian cyberattacks
After the start of the full-scale war, Russian hackers repeatedly carried out cyberattacks on Ukrainian government agencies and more.
This included attacks on Ukraine's partner countries. In January, Russian hackers attempted to attack Germany after it decided to provide tanks to Ukraine.
Yurii Shchyhol, the head of Ukraine's State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection, stated that Russians were targeting the computer systems of the prosecutor's office, which collects evidence of Russian military crimes.
