14th Cluster Session: “Synergy of Physical and Cyber Defense for Critical Infrastructure”

30
august
online

Protection of critical infrastructure (CI) in the physical and cyber dimensions became the main topic of the 14th National Cybersecurity Cluster’s session.

“The protection of critical infrastructure facilities has always been crucial for the national security system. However, at war, ensuring their stable operation and preventing cyber-attacks and data leakage became a priority. After all, any violation of the stability of such objects, both in physical and in cyberspace, can not only negatively affect the defense positions of the country, but also every citizen who is a consumer of their services,” – Mykhailo Verych, Senior Operations Manager, CRDF Global, emphasized in his opening remarks.

The meeting was conducted in an online format and brought together over 300 participants, who overviewed the current state of physical and cyber security of CI and got acquainted with the best international practices and algorithms for ensuring such protection.

Among the key speakers at the event there were representatives of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency (CISA), Italy’s National Cybersecurity Competence Center, State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Deft9 Solutions and CRDF Global.

During the Q&A session, the participants focused on the following topics:

  • strengthening of information exchange between CI and relevant state bodies;
  • development of partnerships between CI and private sector (IT outsourcing);
  • enhanced coordination between state bodies and representatives of embassies and the donor community.
Speakers (12)
Natalia Tkachuk
Head of the Information and Cyber Security Service of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine

Nataliya also holds the position of the Secretary of Ukraine's National Coordination Center for Cyber Security. Ms. Tkachuk has 20 years of practical experience in the sector of national security and defense of Ukraine. She is responsible for coordinating and controlling the activities of main state actors in the sphere of information and cyber security. Nataliya has Ph.D. in law in the field of national security.

Nataliya also holds the position of the Secretary of Ukraine's National Coordination Center for Cyber Security. Ms. Tkachuk has 20 years of practical experience in the sector of national security and defense of Ukraine. She is responsible for coordinating and controlling the activities of main state actors in the sphere of information and cyber security. Nataliya has Ph.D. in law in the field of national security.

Endrit Demi
Senior Advisor for Energy and Cyber Security, Office of the Assistance Coordinator for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia (EUR/ACE), U.S. Department of State

Endrit Demi has worked at the U.S. Department of State for 15 years, and is currently serving as a senior advisor on energy and cyber security initiatives at the Office of the Coordinator of Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Centra Asia. Mr. Demi is responsible for the alignment of U.S. resources with strategic objectives in support of regional energy security and diversification, cyber security capacity development, and critical infrastructure protection. He is also responsible for coordinating these efforts with the U.S. interagency, Congress, foreign allies, and international financial institutions. In his capacity as advisor on these issues, Mr. Demi’s primary goals are to support innovation and emerging technologies in the area of clean energy transition, as well as to strengthen transatlantic cooperation and information sharing on emerging hybrid threats. Mr. Demi has previously served as a State Department advisor on economic development, promoting equitable and sustainable economic growth through support of small and medium enterprises, women’s and youth entrepreneurship, science and innovation, as well as cross-border trade facilitation through harmonized customs regulations. He holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from George Washington University in International Relations and Security Studies. Originally from Tirana, Albania, Mr. Demi currently resides in Washington, DC.

Endrit Demi has worked at the U.S. Department of State for 15 years, and is currently serving as a senior advisor on energy and cyber security initiatives at the Office of the Coordinator of Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Centra Asia. Mr. Demi is responsible for the alignment of U.S. resources with strategic objectives in support of regional energy security and diversification, cyber security capacity development, and critical infrastructure protection. He is also responsible for coordinating these efforts with the U.S. interagency, Congress, foreign allies, and international financial institutions. In his capacity as advisor on these issues, Mr. Demi’s primary goals are to support innovation and emerging technologies in the area of clean energy transition, as well as to strengthen transatlantic cooperation and information sharing on emerging hybrid threats. Mr. Demi has previously served as a State Department advisor on economic development, promoting equitable and sustainable economic growth through support of small and medium enterprises, women’s and youth entrepreneurship, science and innovation, as well as cross-border trade facilitation through harmonized customs regulations. He holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from George Washington University in International Relations and Security Studies. Originally from Tirana, Albania, Mr. Demi currently resides in Washington, DC.

Serhii Prokopenko
Head of the NCSCC Support Department

Mr. Serhii Prokopenko is the Head of the NCCC Support Department and Deputy Head of Information Security and Cybersecurity Directorate at the NSDC of Ukraine. He has 20 years of experience in cybersecurity. Now he is responsible for the coordination of all the stakeholders, developing the NCCC’s analytical and technological platform, improvement of Cyber Threats Intelligence (CTI) exchange and sharing mechanisms, organization of training programs for specialists from the public sector and critical infrastructures, building Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), international cooperation, control of the Cybersecurity Strategy implementation plan.

Mr. Serhii Prokopenko is the Head of the NCCC Support Department and Deputy Head of Information Security and Cybersecurity Directorate at the NSDC of Ukraine. He has 20 years of experience in cybersecurity. Now he is responsible for the coordination of all the stakeholders, developing the NCCC’s analytical and technological platform, improvement of Cyber Threats Intelligence (CTI) exchange and sharing mechanisms, organization of training programs for specialists from the public sector and critical infrastructures, building Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), international cooperation, control of the Cybersecurity Strategy implementation plan.

Iryna Tymoshenko
Head of the Critical Infrastructure Security Service of the National Security and Defense Council
Mykhailo Verych
Regional Director, CRDF Global

Mykhailo brings over 15 years of experience working in governmental and non-profit organizations. Throughout the timeline of his career, Mykhailo held leadership positions in the State Employment Service (SES) of the Ministry of Social Policy in Kyiv and HelpAge International. In his current role, he provides management and oversight of CRDF Global’s Eurasia Hub, ensuring the application of best practices in program standards, and building relations with government agencies, embassies, and other partners.

Mykhailo brings over 15 years of experience working in governmental and non-profit organizations. Throughout the timeline of his career, Mykhailo held leadership positions in the State Employment Service (SES) of the Ministry of Social Policy in Kyiv and HelpAge International. In his current role, he provides management and oversight of CRDF Global’s Eurasia Hub, ensuring the application of best practices in program standards, and building relations with government agencies, embassies, and other partners.

Martina Castiglioni
Сapacity Building Manager, National Cybersecurity Competence Center, Italy

Martina leads the advisory and training service line. She has multiple years of experience in cybersecurity advisory services and in project management, supporting Critical Infrastructure including Operator of Essential services. Her area of expertise in cybersecurity includes risk management, cybersecurity strategies, cybersecurity auditing, assessments, business continuity and crisis management, and qualitative and quantitative research.

Martina leads the advisory and training service line. She has multiple years of experience in cybersecurity advisory services and in project management, supporting Critical Infrastructure including Operator of Essential services. Her area of expertise in cybersecurity includes risk management, cybersecurity strategies, cybersecurity auditing, assessments, business continuity and crisis management, and qualitative and quantitative research.

Oleh Verbovyi
First Secretary of the Permanent Representation of Ukraine to international organizations in Vienna
John Cowling
Technical Advisor, CRDF Global

Since 2005, John has been based in the Middle East, rewarded with senior advisory roles delivering client-focused solutions on a diverse range of critical infrastructure projects and programs at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels. In-country mentoring and knowledge transfer in high threat environments with a sustainable approach is a common sphere of his interest.

Since 2005, John has been based in the Middle East, rewarded with senior advisory roles delivering client-focused solutions on a diverse range of critical infrastructure projects and programs at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels. In-country mentoring and knowledge transfer in high threat environments with a sustainable approach is a common sphere of his interest.

Oleksandr Leshchenko
Head of Population and Territories Protection Division, Civil Protection Measures Department, State Emergency Service of Ukraine
Audrey Speer
Program Specialist at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Zeina Azar
Section Chief for the Standardization and Evaluation Section for CISA's Office of Chemical Security
Ed Suhler
Director of OT Cyber Security, Deft9 Solutions, Inc.

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