Ukraine building critical infrastructure protection system

Ukraine is starting to build a critical infrastructure protection system in line with the best global practices and current requirements of European legislation.

That’s according to the State Special Communications Service, Ukrinform reports.

"Ukraine is studying the EU directives NIS 2 (EU 2022/2555) and RCE (EU 2022/2557) on the protection of critical infrastructure and cooperating with countries that have already started their implementation," the press service quotes the deputy head of the SSCS, Oleksandr Potiy, as saying.

Ukraine fruitfully cooperates with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which has leading experience in the protection of critical infrastructure facilities (CIF). The SSCS and CISA have signed a memorandum of cooperation and training has already been conducted in accordance with the CISA methodology.

The Ukrainian agency, as an authorized body in the field of protecting critical infrastructure, is currently developing the necessary regulatory and legal framework. Sectoral lists of critical infrastructure facilities have been created. A Cabinet resolution approving the procedure for maintaining the Register of Critical Infrastructure is to be adopted in the near future.

Among crises, the regulation designates missile attacks, sabotage, and cyber attacks, with the relevant state bodies assigned to address these threats accordingly.

In turn, the authorized agency coordinates other bodies’ operations.

"We are obliged to conduct an analysis of risks and threats and submit this information to the Cabinet and NSDC so that they carry out the necessary planning – budgetary and other," explained the deputy head of the SSCS.

As reported, from October 2022 to February 2023, Russia’s forces launched some 1,500 missiles and kamikaze drones targeting the Ukrainian energy system. Nearly 100 hit large energy facilities. As a result of the strikes, Ukraine lost 61% of its generation capacities. In order to get through the next winter, it is necessary to intensify efforts to address the existing threats and protect the energy infrastructure.