Ukraine strengthens cooperation with the EU in the field of cybersecurity: NCSCC signed Agreement with ENISA
The National Cybersecurity Coordination Center (NCSCC) under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and the Administration of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP) have signed a Working Arrangement with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) focused around capacity-building, best practices exchange and boosting situational awareness.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been a turning point for the global cyber domain and has confirmed the need for enhanced and wider international cooperation. The Working Arrangement seals the discussion initiated last year in Warsaw during the EU-Ukraine Cybersecurity Dialogue and will also be a key item at the next Dialogue.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell: the manipulation of in for and cyberattacks is a key element of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Well known for war tactics are being exploited by Russia on a new massive scale, targeting not only Ukraine, but also the European Union. This makes [ today's] agreement on enhanced cooperation for cybersecurity even more important. The [ agreement] is a further essential component of our overall support to help Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and of our long term commitment to Ukraine's security.
The malicious manipulation of information and cyber-attacks is a key element of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Well-known hybrid tactics are being exploited by Russia on a new massive scale, targeting not only Ukraine, but also the European Union. This makes today’s arrangement on enhanced cooperation for cybersecurity even more important. The arrangement is an additional essential component of our overall support to help Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and of our long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security.”
Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), Juhan Lepassaar, said: «The widespread use of cyberattacks in Russia’s war of aggression has been met with a fierce and resilient defence by our Ukrainian partners, It has also greatly increased our own levels of alertness and preparations in the EU. We are looking forward to implementing this Working Arrangement – ENISA’s first with a partner from outside the EU – in an effort to boost a higher common level of cybersecurity across the Europe and as a contribution to the EU’s continuing support for Ukraine».
«This is a historic day for our country, and, of course, an important step on the way to Ukraine's membership in the European Union. Cooperation with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) opens up new opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the field of cybersecurity and share best practices with EU countries. This is especially important now that Ukraine is at the forefront of the global cyber war waged by Russia against us. Joining forces will strengthen the European cybersecurity system, and our country will participate in the development of strategic approaches and new policies in the field of cybersecurity and cyber defense at the international level», – said Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov.
«We highly appreciate the cooperation with ENISA and the support that EU countries provide to Ukraine. Cyberspace has become a full-fledged component of the war that Russia has waged against Ukraine. This war has also given the whole world a clear understanding that the civilized world only together can resist aggression in cyberspace. We are ready to exchange information and share Ukraine's experience in the world's first cyber war to help each country become stronger in the face of new threats», – said Head of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine Yuriy Shchyhol.
This agreement is broad in nature and covers both short-term structured cooperation actions, as well as paving the way for a longer-term alignment of cybersecurity policies and implementation approaches. Cooperation will be sought in the areas of:
– Cyber Awareness & Capacity Building to enhance cyber resilience: including facilitating the participation as third country representatives in specific EU-wide cybersecurity exercises or trainings, possible secondment arrangements, and the sharing and promotion of cyber awareness tools and programmes.
– Best practice exchange to ensure alignment of legislation and implementation; including on key cyber legislation implementation such as NIS2, and sectors such as telecommunications and energy.
– Knowledge and information sharing to increase common situational awareness: including a more systematic sharing of knowledge and information in relation to the cybersecurity threat landscape to increase the common situational awareness to the stakeholders and communities.
A work plan will operationalise the Working Arrangement.