Cyber War on Ukraine in Reality: Victor Zhora, Ukrainian Cybersecurity Official, Shares His Story

Summary

The transcript details a speech by Victor Zhora, a key figure in Ukraine's cyber defense, at an event in Sweden. He discusses the ongoing war in Ukraine and the critical role of cyber warfare in this conflict. Zhora highlights the continuous cyber attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure, the collaboration with international partners, and the importance of global support for Ukraine. He emphasizes the need for preparedness and cooperation in cybersecurity, given the potential for attacks on any nation. The ambassador also underscores the significance of Ukraine's experience in combating cyber threats in real-time during the war, which could contribute to the global cybersecurity ecosystem. The speaker calls for technological sanctions against aggressors and continued support for Ukraine to defend democracy, human rights, and sovereignty.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The Ambassador of Ukraine to Sweden is present, highlighting the importance of understanding the Ukrainian perspective on the ongoing conflict.
• ⚔️ Ukraine is currently in the midst of war, with both military and cyber warfare fronts being actively contested.
• 👥 Civilians, including children, are among those suffering due to the conflict, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of the crisis.
• 🤝 There is a call for international support for Ukraine, with an emphasis on individual and organizational contributions.
• 🔒 Victor Zhora, a key figure in Ukraine's cyber defense, discusses the integration of cyber warfare with conventional military tactics.
• 📅 The timeline of the conflict is outlined, with significant cyber attacks dating back to 2014, including the infamous NotPetya attack in 2017.
• 🏛️ Ukraine has been proactive in strengthening its cybersecurity, establishing a comprehensive system with multiple responsible agencies.
• 📈 There has been a marked increase in cyber incidents since the start of the current escalation, with a significant number being severe.
• 🛡️ Ukraine has managed to recover quickly from cyber attacks, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
• 🤝 International cooperation is crucial for combating cyber threats, with contributions from various countries and the private sector.
• 🌐 The global impact of cyber warfare is underscored, with collateral damage affecting even countries not directly involved in the conflict.

Q & A

Who is the honored guest mentioned at the beginning of the transcript?

The honored guest mentioned at the beginning of the transcript is His Excellency, the Ambassador of Ukraine in Sweden.

What is the current situation in Ukraine that is being discussed?

The current situation in Ukraine being discussed is that the country is in the midst of war, with both conventional military operations and cyber warfare being employed against it.

Who is Victor Zhora and what is his role in the context of the discussion?

Victor Zhora is the Keynote speaker who is introduced to share his insights on cyber warfare and defending Ukraine's infrastructure from cyber attacks as part of hybrid warfare.

What significant event is mentioned as the start of the cyber warfare against Ukraine?

The start of cyber warfare against Ukraine is considered to be the attempt to hack and interfere with the Ukrainian elections in May 2014, targeting the Central Election Commission and its IT system.

What was the impact of the NotPetya cyber attack that took place on 27th of June 2017?

The NotPetya cyber attack impacted not only Ukraine, where 75% of the targets were located, but also caused collateral damage to 25% of targets outside Ukraine, including global companies like Maersk, Merck, and Mondelez.

How has Ukraine been preparing for cyber threats over the past few years?

Ukraine has been preparing for cyber threats by developing a national cybersecurity strategy, creating responsible agencies, and focusing on strengthening their cybersecurity system, which now consists of ten different agencies.

What was the nature of the cyber attack on the 14th of January?

The cyber attack on the 14th of January involved defacing government websites and using wipers to destroy data within government agencies, with the objective to sow panic, disinformation, and instability.

What is the role of the State Service Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine?

The State Service Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine is responsible for digital transformation and cybersecurity projects in the country, secure communications for leaders, and the development and implementation of the country's cyber protection policy.

What was the purpose behind the cyber attacks during the initial months of the Russian invasion?

The purpose behind the cyber attacks during the initial months of the invasion was to support military operations, provide intelligence, and potentially gather data from Ukrainian registers for later operations against Ukrainian citizens.

How has the international community, including Sweden, been supporting Ukraine in the face of cyber threats?

The international community, including Sweden, has been supporting Ukraine by providing technological assistance, sharing threat intelligence, offering hardware and software support, and engaging in political and economic support.

What is the importance of cooperation in the global fight against cyber threats as highlighted by the speaker?

Cooperation is crucial in the global fight against cyber threats as it allows for the sharing of knowledge, technologies, and threat intelligence, enabling more effective defense and response to cyber attacks, as well as fostering a community of countries with responsible behavior in cyberspace.