The NCCC initiates the development of joint mechanisms to counter modern information and cyber threats with the participation of Ukraine, Romania and Moldova

In Ivano-Frankivsk, on April 3-4, international training exercises on responding to crisis situations in cyberspace took place, with the participation of representatives from Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova.

For the first time, at the initiative of the National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, joint mechanisms for responding at the interstate level to large-scale cyberattacks aimed at destabilizing the situation in the region were developed. The event was an important step in creating a new cyber coalition aimed at collectively countering modern information and cyber threats, and demonstrated Ukraine's readiness to act as a regional leader in the field of cybersecurity.

«These international exercises are an important step towards forming a shared security space in the field of cybersecurity in the region. The cooperation between Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova demonstrates our joint determination to effectively counter modern challenges in cyberspace», - noted Serhii Prokopenko, a representative of the relevant service of the NSDC of Ukraine.

The international exercises were attended by representatives from the NCCCS, the SBU, the State Special Communications Service, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the National Bank of Ukraine, the Cyberpolice Department, the Center for Counteracting Disinformation, the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration, the National Directorate of Romania for Cybersecurity, the National Agency of Moldova for Cybersecurity, and the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Center.

The consultations and discussions were joined by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Ukraine, Alexandru Viktor Miсula, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Moldova to Ukraine, Valeriu Chiveri. The discussion also involved experts from public organizations, King Daniel University, and leading Ukrainian and Romanian companies in the fields of IT and cybersecurity.

During the event, command-post exercises (TTX, table-top exercises) were held, during which representatives from the three countries were able to test existing mechanisms of interstate cooperation in the event of complex, coordinated cyberattacks on state institutions and critical infrastructure objects in the region.

The TTX scenario included the modeling of crisis situations, particularly with simultaneous execution of disinformation operations, and encouraged the search for effective ways to respond and identify gaps in the organization of joint counteraction to threats. Special attention was given to the coordination among government bodies, local self-government authorities, law enforcement agencies, and representatives of the private sector.

The participants of the exercises also took part in a cybersecurity competition in the CTF format. Teams solved tasks and practiced data exchange, interaction in response to cyber incidents.

The first place in the competition with a small margin from the Romanian team was taken by the team from Ukraine.

For the first time, a crisis simulation was held for representatives of the management team with a focus on organizing interaction between representatives of the security and defense sector and civil departments of the three states during cyberattacks. Participants practiced decision-making skills in conditions of limited information and time in order to improve coordination and exchange of information.

As part of the event, representatives of the NCCC held separate consultations with the leadership of the National Directorate of Romania for Cybersecurity and the National Agency of Moldova for Cybersecurity. As a result of the meetings, discussions were held on the establishment of an international center of competence in Kyiv and the involvement of academic institutions, public organizations, and private companies in its work. Following the event, a roadmap for cooperation and the creation of a cyber coalition will be developed, which will enable effective cyber defense for the participating states.

According to the organizers, the event serves as an example of effective international coordination in the field of cybersecurity. Thanks to the joint efforts of Ukrainian, Romanian, and Moldovan partners, the level of cooperation has been enhanced to ensure regional cyber resilience.

For reference: The first international cybersecurity exercises with the participation of Ukraine, Romania, Moldova took place in Ivano-Frankivsk on the basis of King Danylo University at the initiative of the National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, with the support of the European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration, with the assistance of the Romanian National Directorate for Cybersecurity, Euro-Atlantic Resilience Center.