October 2, 2023
Today, the United States and Denmark announced their partnership to reduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities and build cyber resilience in Ukraine’s critical infrastructure through the USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine activity. Denmark is investing $2.8 million (20 million DKK) in the activity.
Since 2014 and particularly since the run-up to its brutal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian Federation has targeted cyberattacks against Ukraine’s government institutions and critical infrastructure such as telecommunications, electricity, and data storage systems. The United States, with this new support from Denmark, will continue its work to strengthen Ukraine’s cybersecurity enabling environment, including its laws, regulations, and institutional frameworks; develop Ukraine’s cybersecurity workforce, including building the capacity of existing experts and by developing a dedicated cybersecurity workforce pipeline; and by building trust and collaboration between the public and sectors to form a more resilient Ukrainian cybersecurity industry.
“Strengthening Ukraine’s cyber capabilities is critical to protecting the country’s institutions and infrastructure against the increased cyber attacks resulting from Russia’s war. I welcome Denmark’s $2.8m investment in the USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine activity and look forward to working together to enable Ukraine to withstand Russia’s cyber aggression” – United States Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink.
“There is a great need to build a more resilient digital infrastructure in Ukraine. Russia uses cyber attacks to disrupt critical infrastructure and undermine trust in authoriti. This is why we will contribute 20 million DKK (2.8 million USD) towards Ukrainian cybersecurity in close collaboration with the U.S.” – Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The United States, through USAID’s Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine activity, has been essential for providing state institutions and key infrastructure with the tools and cyber expertise they need to keep running and to meet the needs of the Ukrainian people during the war. The activity has also supported Ukraine’s efforts to form partnerships with international cybersecurity actors, including Ukraine’s State Service for Special Communication and Information Protection launching cooperation with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
The United States is proud to partner with Denmark and New Zealand through the USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine activity, and looks forward to our continued collaboration. Through its contribution, Denmark underscores its support for the Ukrainian people and their security against cybersecurity attacks from malign actors. The donation also builds on New Zealand’s investment of $0.49 million in the cybersecurity program earlier in 2023.
By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 October, 2023