Ukraine and Netherlands share experiences in ODU cybersecurity webinar
June 17, 2021.jpg)
ODU - ECONOMY · Ukraine and the Netherlands have a lot to learn from each other on cybersecurity. That was apparent from a special webinar that OpenDoorUkraine.NL organised in co-operation with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Netherlands and The Hague Security Delta (HSD).
The online discussion on “Public-private partnership in cybersecurity – The Dutch approach” attracted more than 40 mainly Ukrainian experts from the government, private IT companies and academia. Bert Feskens, Innovation LIaison at HSD, highlighted the position of the Netherlands as an IT hub: it’s the most connected country in the world, it has the largest number of broadband connections in the EU, the second largest Internet Exchange in the world, a state-of-the-art digital fiber-optic network, etc.
Moreover, the Dutch are at the forefront in Europe in developing cybersecurity projects through Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The country’s national security cluster is built around a “Triple Helix” in which government, universities and companies work together to develop innovative solutions for national, urban and cybersecurity and the defence of critical infrastructure.
At the same time, this collaboration is contributing to the country’s economic development. The Soft Landing partnership program, in which HSD participates, allows businesses to tap into a cyber eco-system that offers them solutions to cybersecurity challenges.
The discussion is timely, just as Ukraine is developing its own cybersecurity strategy for 2021-2025 which includes PPP as a priority. At the same time, Ukraine finds itself ,in a unique situation, says Embassy first secretary Denys Demko who moderated the meeting.
“In fact, Ukraine is a testing ground for the use of cybertools for malicious purposes. Because of the ongoing situation with the Russian Federation,” (following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its support of separatists in eastern Donbas – ed.) “we have experience on a daily basis with resisting cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and against local officials, journalists, NGOs and citizens to attempt to influence the political system.”
This has contributed to a significant increase in Ukrainian cybersecurity capabilities, says Demko. “We now have a unique practical experience in neutralising cyberattacks which can be useful for partner countries.”
Sources: Ukrainian Embassy, The Hague Security Delta, Global Epic, National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
Photo: Depositphotos.com
(by Diederik Kramers)