Highlights of international and Ukrainian cybersecurity news in June 2024

In the United States, due to a significant shortage of cyber specialists (about 500,000 unfilled vacancies), the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) is actively promoting the implementation of the National Cyber Education Strategy. Consideration is being given to relying exclusively on confirmed qualifications as the basis for hiring cyber specialists, instead of compulsory higher education, which should help fill vacancies in the security and defence sector that are difficult to fill due to the red tape.

russian hackers are increasingly active against Ukraine's partner countries. In June, they attacked the website of a Spanish company that repairs Leopard tanks for Ukraine, and interfered with satellite broadcasts, even broadcasting russian military videos on a children's channel. TeamViewer was also attacked. Of particular concern is the willingness and readiness of russian hackers to interfere with the electoral processes in the US and Europe.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a hot topic in security discussions. In May 2024, it was a key focus of the RSA 2024 conference, and in June, CISA held its first table-top exercises to address AI threats. CSIS researchers show how AI can affect national security decision-making, and CISA is concerned about growing cyber threats in the chemical and biological sectors. At the same time, US government agencies are looking for the ways to use AI for greater security, with the Department of Defence considering the possibility of transferring cyberattack response functions to AI.

Ukraine is improving and implementing state policies in cybersecurity and the emerging technologies. The Ministry of Digital Transformation presented a White Paper on the regulation of artificial intelligence to help companies prepare for new legislation and EU integration. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the objectives of the National Informatisation Programme. The NCCC launched CyberTracker to automate the monitoring of the implementation of the Cybersecurity Strategy of Ukraine. The State Service for Special Communications approved requirements for information security auditors at the critical infrastructure facilities, as well as the procedure for their certification. Also, Ukraine launched the first Qualification Centre for Information Technology and Cybersecurity.

Ukraine is actively integrating into the European and Euro-Atlantic space in cybersecurity, cooperating with the EU in building cyber resilience and countering russian federation. In June, the National Coordination Centre for Cybersecurity became a partner of the Paris Cyber Summit. Ukraine took part in the European cyber exercise Cyber Europe for the first time. The Brave1 platform, NATO and the US Department of Defence's Defence Innovation Unit held the NATO-Ukraine Defence Innovators Forum for the first time to discuss investments in Ukrainian defence tech and plans for cooperation in the defence technology sector.

Read more about legislative amendments, initiatives of national actors, trends, forecasts and analytical assessments, international and Ukrainian news in cybersecurity in Ukraine here.