On April 29, 2021, the third meeting of the National Cybersecurity Cluster took place. The topic of the event covered two important issues: the current state of cybersecurity in the energy sector, issues and necessary steps to strengthen cybersecurity in the energy sector with the involvement of international technical assistance.
Ievhen Vladimirov, Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitization, presented data on the rapid immersion of the world in cyberspace and stressed the priority of energy and its components in achieving cybersecurity of all human activities and functions of state institutions.
Natalie Aldani, U.S. Embassy political officer, emphasized unwavering support for Ukraine by the US government in the field of cybersecurity and expressed confidence that the session would facilitate the implementation of the new Cybersecurity Strategy.
Serhiy Prokopenko, Head of the NCCC Support Service of the NSDC Staff , pointed out the high effectiveness of the activities taking place under the auspices of the Cluster and emphasized the ongoing hybrid aggression of the Russian Federation, in which cyberspace has become one of the main battlefields against Ukraine. Serhiy Prokopenko also reminded about the vulnerability detection program, which is carried out jointly with CRDF, and announced its second stage, which includes educational activities and trainings on conducting audits for the representatives of energy sector.
The third meeting of the Cluster was attended by representatives of USAID, the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation in Ukraine (CRDF Global), Asters Law Firm, NPC Ukrenergo, Naftogaz of Ukraine , Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine LLC, SE NNEGC Energoatom, DTEK Group and Ukrhydroenergo PJSC, etc.
Participants presented their activities in the field of cybersecurity as well as reported on the current state and plans for the development of information security in the companies of the energy sector. At the stage of discussion, the greatest interest of experts was caused by the personnel issue and the market of qualified specialists.
The Cluster meeting strengthened coordination in the exchange of cyber threats and cyber incidents for institutions and enterprises in the energy sector. In the end, the confidence was expressed that the public articulation of problems would help to find the ways to solve them quickly.
For notes
The energy sector of Ukraine includes enterprises of power and nuclear generation, oil&gas and coal industries. An important role in the energy segment of Ukraine is played by NJSC Naftogaz and its subsidiaries JSC Ukrgazvydobuvannia, PJSC Ukrnaftoburinnya, JSC Chornomornaftogaz and PJSC Ukrnafta, as well as SE Eastern Mining and Processing Plant, NNEGC Energoatom, PJSC Centerenergo, etc.
The key subjects of management and regulation in the energy sector of Ukraine are the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (CMU), the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC).
