Strengthening Cybersecurity Through Cross-Border Cooperation: Insights from Bucharest and Ivano-Frankivsk
November 21, 2024
As cybersecurity emerges as a critical battleground in modern conflicts, the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) in Ukraine is committed to strengthening resilience and capacity in this vital area. Building on its mission to support civilian security sector reform, EUAM has engaged in high-level international cooperation and local capacity-building efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s national cybersecurity system.
Two recent events, the Bucharest Cybersecurity Conference (BCC2024) and the second edition of the Ivano-Frankivsk Cybersecurity Workshop, exemplify this ongoing commitment.
Bucharest Conference: A Platform for European Cybersecurity Dialogue
Last month, EUAM participated in BCC2024 in Romania. Organised by the Romanian National Directorate for Cybersecurity (DNSC) in collaboration with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), the conference brought together prominent stakeholders from across Europe to address pressing cybersecurity challenges.
During the three-day event, participants explored key topics such as regulatory frameworks, the role of AI and 5G in cybersecurity, and lessons learned from Ukraine’s digital defence efforts. EUAM representatives participated in closed-door roundtables under Chatham House Rule, sharing insights on Ukraine’s cybersecurity strategies and engaging in discussions on resilience, continuity planning, and challenges faced by regional partners such as Moldova. These exchanges are shaping EUAM’s approach to advising Ukraine’s civilian security sector in line with the EU Cyber Resilience Act and best practices.
From Theory to Practice: Strengthening Ukraine’s Cyber Defenses
On 13-14 November, EUAM co-organised in partnership with Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre (E-ARC) and Romanian National Directorate for Cybersecurity (DNSC) under the coordination of the Ukrainian National Cybersecurity Coordination Center (NCSCC) the second edition of the Cybersecurity Workshop in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. This event brought together over 40 participants from Ukraine’s national cybersecurity system, regional authorities, law enforcement agencies and the private sector. The theme, ‘Achieving Cybersecurity and Resilience through Improved Inter-Agency Cooperation’, highlighted the need for unity and cooperation in the face of growing threats.
The workshop had two central components: Cybersecurity and Institutional Resilience. Experts from Ukraine, Romania and the EUAM provided a comprehensive overview of the current cybersecurity landscape, methodologies for investigating cyber incidents and approaches to managing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Romanian experts shared valuable insights, including lessons learned from a ransomware attack on Romanian hospitals, while Ukrainian counterparts highlighted strategies for coordinating responses to large-scale attacks on critical infrastructure.
A highlight of the workshop was a series of simulation exercises coordinated by E-ARC and EUAM. These scenarios tested participants’ coordination and response capabilities by simulating real-life cyber attacks and emergency situations. Participants also explored practical tools for collecting digital evidence, managing security emergencies and mitigating future threats.
A Roadmap for Resilience: Lessons and Partnerships
The Ivano-Frankivsk workshop marked an important step in strengthening public-private alliances within Ukraine’s cybersecurity ecosystem. By sharing European best practices, the event highlighted the importance of adopting the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act and fostering inter-regional cooperation with partners such as Romania and Moldova. The Deputy Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, Serhii Demediuk, highlighted the critical role of cross-border cooperation in enhancing resilience and building a sustainable cybersecurity framework.
The workshop concluded with participants receiving training certificates for strengthening Ukraine’s digital defences. EUAM and Romanian partners also distributed a practical guide for citizens on crisis management and emergency response, further promoting awareness and preparedness at the community level.
The results of these events demonstrate the growing alignment between Ukraine’s cybersecurity initiatives and European standards. By combining high-level insights from the Bucharest conference with actionable strategies in Ivano-Frankivsk, EUAM continues to bridge the gap between policy and practice, reinforcing cybersecurity as a key pillar of civilian security sector reform.
As threats in the digital space evolve, EUAM’s partnerships with Ukrainian and European stakeholders remain essential to building a resilient and secure future.
