Atlantic Council: Ukraine Has Unique Experience In Protecting Infrastructure In War Conditions

The country can become a world leader in shaping new sustainability standards and doctrines.

Ukraine has been living under the constant threat of cyber and missile attacks for more than a decade. The country has become an example of how state infrastructure can function under continuous pressure. Its experience shows that protecting critical systems goes far beyond cybersecurity and requires a hybrid approach that combines digital and physical resilience, writes Atlantic Council (translated by Charter97.org).

Since 2014, Ukraine's energy, banking and telecommunications sectors have been under increasingly severe attacks. Russia triggered a large-scale blackout by cyberattack for the first time in 2015-2016. However, it was in these moments that Ukraine's key advantage - analog resilience - became apparent: engineers manually isolated damaged sections of the network and restored electricity supply.

Experts emphasize that full digitalization without backup mechanisms creates vulnerability. True resilience requires hybrid systems with manual modes, local control, and the ability to continue operating when connectivity is lost.

The banking sector in Ukraine has become an example of institutional autonomy. The National Bank promptly implemented mandatory security protocols, created a single response center and ensured the stability of the financial system even during massive attacks. The Power Banking initiative - a network of branches equipped with generators, satellite communications and the ability to work offline - was of particular importance.

Cyberattacks and physical attacks are often synchronized, and resilience is determined not only by preventing threats, but also by the ability to maintain operations.

Experts believe that the country needs sectoral response centers, mandatory intelligence sharing between government and business, and a single resilience investment fund involving Ukraine, the EU and international financial institutions. In addition, at least 10,000 new security specialists need to be trained.

Ukraine already has unique experience in protecting infrastructure in real war conditions - and can now become a world leader in shaping new standards and doctrines of resilience.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com