Ukraine has the unfortunate distinction of being the victim of what’s now called the most devastating cyberattack in modern history.
But now the country has expertise to protect itself better from all future cyberattacks, according to experts speaking on Jan. 23 on one of the panels of Ukraine House Davos, a five-day sideline event of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The event features discussions, panels and receptions aiming to attract forum participants — politicians, activists and business executives.
A notorious attack with NotPetya ransomware hit Ukraine in June 2017, affecting 12,500 computers around the country, including ones in government institutions. The computer virus then started to spread across the globe, paralyzing large businesses worldwide.
As the epicenter of the attack, Ukraine realized it had to do more to protect itself. Building on “tremendous” expertise in the field of cybersecurity, it has developed a cadre of skillful tech people now able to protect the country from similar cyberattacks.
“Ukraine did it out of necessity,” said David Shrier, a scholar from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Oxford University, who researches cybersecurity.
Shrier’s colleague Eugene Roman agreed. Roman is the executive vice-president and a tech advisor at retail company Canadian Tire Corporation, who also calls himself a “white hacker,” or an ethical computer hacker who helps others to defend themselves on the internet. He believes that “the world needs (computer) security” and Ukraine can help make sure it has it.
“Ukraine has become a major force (in cybersecurity). The best cyber warriors I’ve even known came out of Lviv, Kharkiv, Kyiv,” Roman said, adding that Ukraine should use their skills to protect itself and its economy.
Businesses and states have to make cybersecurity a priority, he believes.
Taras Kytsmey, co-founder of software developer SoftServe and the president of Ukraine’s IT Association, called Ukraine “a test site, where cyberattacks are tested.”
While that is bad, there’s a silver lining — Ukraine’s techies have learned the hard way to protect their systems, but they’ve learned well. This in turn has fostered the development of the tech industry.
“Ukraine’s IT has shown unprecedented growth over the last several years,” Kytsmey said. “Now we have this generation of Ukrainian tech people who love tech and innovation. And so Ukraine is the perfect place to invest in cybersecurity.”
He said that because of the hybrid war Russia is waging against Ukraine, spreading fake news and propaganda as well as launching cyberattacks, Ukrainian tech people put security first and foremost.
“If we build something digital, we Ukrainians are forced to build into it security during the development process, not after it,” he said. He thinks that’s all to the good.
The Kyiv Post’s technology coverage is sponsored by Ciklum and NIX Solutions. The content is independent of the donors.
