CYBER WAR IN UKRAINE AND NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES: CYBER ATTACKS ON DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE (GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THIRD SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34132/pard2022.15.02Keywords:
cyberwar, cyber attacks, digital infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurityAbstract
The article is devoted to the analysis of the peculiarities of Russia's attacks on Ukraine in cyberspace synchronized with the beginning of a full-scale military invasion of the country on February 24, 2022. Challenges (threats) to the national security of Ukraine in cyberspace are analyzed. The peculiarities of cyber attacks on the digital infrastructure of Ukraine by criminals led by Russian special services to destroy, disrupt or enter the network of government agencies and critical infrastructure, to impair their functioning and to prevent access to reliable information and vital services. It is established that well-known and suspected Russian cyber groups are working to compromise government and non-government agencies in all regions of Ukraine, and the use of cyber attacks by Russia is mainly related to its military operations aimed at services and institutions important to civilians. The results of the study show that the attackers used malicious software on Ukrainian networks on the eve of the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Ongoing destructive cyberattacks in Ukraine could be even more severe, including threats to global cybersecurity. Russian-led attackers are actively seeking initial access to government and critical infrastructure organizations worldwide, making future attacks possible. The peculiarities of close cooperation of governments, international associations, technology campaigns, foundations with Ukrainian officials responsible for cybersecurity and employees of these structures, organizations and private enterprises to identify and eliminate threats to Ukrainian networks are highlighted. It is established that cyberattacks aimed at Ukraine, including critical infrastructure (government, military, energy, industrial sector, mobile and Internet communications, media, etc.), can affect other countries, so it is emphasized the importance of close international cooperation in preventing, deterring and responding to attacks in cyberspace.
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2. Burt, T. The hybrid war in Ukraine. April 27, 2022. blogs.microsoft.com. Retrieved from https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2022/04/27/hybrid-war-ukraine-russia-cyberattacks/.
3. Smith, B. Digital technology and the war in Ukraine. February 28, 2022. blogs.microsoft.com. Retrieved from https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2022/02/28/ukraine-russia-digital-war-cyberattacks/.
4. Revay, G. An Overview of the Increasing Wiper Malware Threat. Threat Research. FortiGuard Labs. April 28, 2022. https://www.fortinet.com. Retrieved from https://www.fortinet.com/blog/threat-research/the-increasing-wiper-malware-threat
5. Industroer2: Industroyer reloaded. This ICS-capable malware targets a Ukrainian energy company. ESET Research.Welivesecurity by ESET. April 12, 2022. www.welivesecurity.com. Retrieved from https://www.welivesecurity.com/2022/04/12/industroyer2-industroyer-reloaded/.
6. Russian cyber operations against Ukraine: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union. Council of the EU. Press release. May 10, 2022. (n.d.). https://www.consilium.europa.eu. Retrieved from https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/05/10/russian-cyber-operations-against-ukraine-declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union/.
7. Cohen, J. Warning incitement of racial, religious hatred can trigger atrocity crimes, Special Adviser stresses states’ legal obligation to prevent genocide. Russian Federation’s Disinformation Campaign Aimed to Justify Invasion of Ukraine, Several Speakers Stress. Security Council. June 21, 2022. https://reliefweb.int. Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/warning-incitement-racial-religious-hatred-can-trigger-atrocity-crimes-special-adviser-stresses-states-legal-obligation-prevent-genocide
8. Yemelyanov, V., & Bondar, H. (2019). Kiberbezpeka yak skladova natsionalʹnoyi bezpeky ta kiberzakhyst krytychnoyi infrastruktury Ukrayiny [Cybersecurity as a component of national security and cyber protection of critical infrastructure of Ukraine]. 10.09.2019. Public Administration and Regional Development, (5), 493-523. https://doi.org/10.34132/pard2019.05.02.
9. Six Russian GRU Officers Charged in Connection with Worldwide Deployment of Destructive Malware and Other Disruptive Actions in Cyberspace. Department of Justice. Office of Public Affairs. An official website of the United States government. October 19, 2020. (n.d.). https://www.justice.gov. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/six-russian-gru-officers-charged-connection-worldwide-deployment-destructive-malware-and.
10. Satellite internet is a hot new commodity in Ukraine. Starlink is being used by the military and hospitals, but its signal is weakest on the front line. The Economist. April 29, 2022 (Updated May1, 2022). (n.d.). https://www.economist.com. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2022/04/29/satellite-internet-is-a-hot-new-commodity-in-ukraine.
11. Mykhaylo Fedorov zustrivsya z prezydentom Microsoft Bredom Smitom. 24 travnya 2022 roku. [Mikhail Fedorov met with Microsoft President Brad Smith. May 24, 2022]. (n.d.). thedigital.gov.ua. Retrieved from https://thedigital.gov.ua/news/mikhaylo-fedorov-zustrivsya-z-prezidentom-microsoft-bredom-smitom.
12. SBU ta NATO posylyly spivpratsyu u sferi kiberbezpeky: vidbulasya vzayemna intehratsiya systemy monitorynhu zahroz. 5 kvitnya 2022 roku [SSU ta NATO posylyly spivpratsyu u sferi kiberbezpeky: vidbulasya vzayemna intehratsiya systemy monitorynhu zahroz. April 5, 2022]. (n.d.). ssu.gov.ua. Retrieved from http://ssu.gov.ua/novyny/sbu-ta-nato-posylyly-spivpratsiu-u-sferi-kiberbezpeky-vidbulasia-vzaiemna-intehratsiia-system-monitorynhu-zahroz.
13. Ukrayinsʹka delehatsiya vpershe vzyala uchastʹ u zasidanni Kerivnoho komitetu Obʺyednanoho tsentru peredovykh tekhnolohiy z kiberoborony NATO (CCDCOE). Derzhavna sluzhba spetsialʹnoho zv'yazku ta zakhystu informatsiyi Ukrayiny. 30 travnya 2022 roku. [Ukrainian delegation participated in a meeting of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) for the first time. State service of special communications and information protection of Ukraine. May 30, 2022]. (n.d.). cip.gov.ua. Retrieved from https://cip.gov.ua/ua/news/ukrayinska-delegaciya-vpershe-vzyala-uchast-u-zasidanni-kerivnogo-komitetu-ob-yednanogo-centru-peredovikh-tekhnologii-z-kiberoboroni-nato-ccdcoe.
14. Mykhaylo Fedorov vruchyv pershu «Vidznaku myru» kompaniyi Google. Ministerstvo ta Komitet tsyfrovoyi transformatsiyi Ukrayiny. 25 travnya 2022 roku [Mykhaylo Fedorov vruchyv pershu «Vidznaku myru» kompaniyi Google. Ministry and Committee for Digital Transformation of Ukraine. May 25, 2022]. (n.d.). thedigital.gov.ua. Retrieved from https://thedigital.gov.ua/news/mikhaylo-fedorov-vruchiv-pershu-vidznaku-miru-kompanii-google.
15. Vse, shcho vy khotily znaty pro Starlink, i ne znaly, yak spytaty. Derzhavna sluzhba spetsialʹnoho zv'yazku ta zakhystu informatsiyi Ukrayiny. 25 kvitnya 2022 roku. [Everything you wanted to know about Starlink and didn't know how to ask. State service of special communications and information protection of Ukraine. April 25, 2022]. (n.d.). cip.gov.ua. Retrieved from https://cip.gov.ua/ua/news/vse-sho-vi-khotili-znati-pro-starlink-i-ne-znali-yak-spitati.
16. Tkachuk, B. V Ukrayini zareyestruvaly predstavnytstvo Starlink. 27 kvitnya 2022 roku. [A Starlink representative office has been registered in Ukraine. April 27, 2022]. hromadske.ua. Retrieved from https://hromadske.ua/posts/v-ukrayini-zareyestruvali-predstavnictvo-starlink.
17. Ukraine is grateful to Switzerland for its support during the war, says Mykhailo Fedorov. Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. Government portal. May 23, 2022. (n.d.). www.kmu.gov.ua. Retrieved from https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/ukrayina-vdyachna-shvejcariyi-za-pidtrimku-pid-chas-vijni-mihajlo-fedorov.
18. U deokupovanykh hromadakh zʺyavytʹsya dostup do derzhposluh. Ministerstvo ta Komitet tsyfrovoyi transformatsiyi Ukrayiny. 26 travnya 2022 roku. [Access to public services will be available in deoccupied communities. Ministry and Committee for Digital Transformation of Ukraine. May 26, 2022]. (n.d.). thedigital.gov.ua. Retrieved from https://thedigital.gov.ua/news/u-deokupovanikh-gromadakh-zyavitsya-dostup-do-derzhposlug.
19. Mykhaylo Fedorov obhovoryv pryyednannya Ukrayiny do prohramy «Tsyfrova Yevropa» na zustrichi z holovoyu Hrupy pidtrymky Ukrayiny v Yevrokomisiyi. Ministerstvo ta Komitet tsyfrovoyi transformatsiyi Ukrayiny. 19 travnya 2022 roku. [Mykhailo Fedorov discussed Ukraine's accession to the Digital Europe program at a meeting with the Chairman of the Support Group of Ukraine in the European Commission. Ministry and Committee for Digital Transformation of Ukraine. May 19, 2022]. (n.d.). thedigital.gov.ua. Retrieved from https://thedigital.gov.ua/news/mikhaylo-fedorov-obgovoriv-priednannya-ukraini-do-programi-tsifrova-evropa-na-zustrichi-z-golovoyu-grupi-pidtrimki-ukraini-v-evrokomisii.
20. Ukrayina spodivayetʹsya vzyaty uchastʹ u prohrami «Tsyfrova Yevropa» vzhe tsʹoho lita - Mykhaylo Fedorov na zustrichi z Komisarom YES iz pytanʹ vnutrishnʹoho rynku. Ministerstvo ta Komitet tsyfrovoyi transformatsiyi Ukrayiny. 20 travnya 2022 roku. [Ukraine hopes to take part in the Digital Europe program this summer - Mykhailo Fedorov at a meeting with the EU Commissioner for Internal Market. Ministry and Committee for Digital Transformation of Ukraine. May 20, 2022]. (n.d.). thedigital.gov.ua. Retrieved from https://thedigital.gov.ua/news/ukraina-spodivaetsya-vzyati-uchast-u-programi-tsifrova-evropa-vzhe-tsogo-lita-mikhaylo-fedorov-na-zustrichi-z-komisarom-es-iz-pitan-vnutrishnogo-rinku.
21. Mykhaylo Fedorov zustrivsya z poslom SSHA v Ukrayini Bridzhyt Brink. Ministerstvo ta Komitet tsyfrovoyi transformatsiyi Ukrayiny. 15 chervnya 2022 roku. [Mikhail Fedorov met with US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink. Ministry and Committee for Digital Transformation of Ukraine. June 15, 2022]. https://thedigital.gov.ua/news/mikhaylo-fedorov-zustrivsya-z-poslom-ssha-v-ukraini-bridzhit-brink
Published
2022-04-08
How to Cite
Bondar, H. (2022). CYBER WAR IN UKRAINE AND NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES: CYBER ATTACKS ON DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE (GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THIRD SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS). Public Administration and Regional Development, (15), 30–67. https://doi.org/10.34132/pard2022.15.02
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