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LEARNING FROM UKRAINE'S PIONEERING APPROACHES TO CYBERSECURITYLEARNING FROM
UKRAINE'S PIONEERING APPROACHES TO CYBERSECURITY

Ukraine's tactical and strategic cybersecurity approach in the intense warfare
environment offers a blueprint for organizations aiming to fortify their cyber
defenses.

Dr. Sean Costigan

January 23, 2024

5 Min Read
Source: Mykhailo Polenok via Alamy Stock Photo


COMMENTARY

Overshadowed by geopolitical tumult and an escalation in sophisticated
cyberattacks, a paradigm shift in cybersecurity toward enterprise risk
management is becoming increasingly evident. Moving cyber to the "left of bang"
highlights an essential need within organizations to astutely discern and
methodically prioritize their most valuable assets.

At the heart of this strategic approach is protecting crown jewels — the assets
most crucial for an organization's operations and success. Compromise of these
key assets could lead to significant financial loss, reputational damage, or
legal consequences. Today, the imperative for both public and private sector
organizations is to identify these crucial assets and devise robust resilience
measures.



The concept of prioritizing the defense of crown jewels is not novel. After all,
as McGeorge Bundy, National Security Adviser to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson
in the 1960s, once famously quipped: "If we guard our toothbrushes and diamonds
with equal zeal, we will lose fewer toothbrushes and more diamonds." However, in
the world of cybersecurity practice the effort is fraught with challenges. Worse
still, the global landscape reveals a troubling trendline: Many nations and
organizations are failing in their cyber-defense efforts, frequently due to
neglect of fundamental practices.



In seeking a model for effective cybersecurity, security leaders should take a
page from Ukraine's experiences in its ongoing conflict. Since Russia's
unprovoked invasion, Ukraine has been engaged in a formidable struggle against
an exceptional adversary. Despite Russia's sophisticated and well-funded cyber
initiatives and some notable recent successes, its apparent impact on the
conflict has been notably muted. Instead, Ukraine's resilience against cyber
threats stands out. A product of hard-earned lessons and an astutely refined
cyber-defense strategy, Ukraine's tactical and strategic approach in this
intense environment offers a blueprint for organizations to fortify their cyber
defenses.




UKRAINE'S "DEFENDER ADVANTAGE" IN CYBER WARFARE

The constrained success of Russia's cyber offense is testament in large part to
Ukraine's formidable defenses, cultivated over a decade of unyielding cyber
confrontation. While Ukraine knows its attackers well, the situation suggests
the emergence of what can be termed a "cyber defender advantage."



Ukraine's Principles of National Cybersecurity (Source: Ukraine government)

Ukraine's cyber-defense strategy, emphasizing partnerships, information sharing,
and the protection of its crown jewels, led to the development of a swift
information-sharing network and comprehensive response mechanisms involving both
public and private sectors. The nation's development of dynamic public–private
cyber-defense partnerships has been exemplary. As a knock-on effect,
multinational corporate entities involved in these partnerships have gained
invaluable knowledge at an unprecedented pace, with their kit and personnel
being tested in the crucible of war. Additionally, the Ukrainian government's
proactive stance in organizational readiness serves as a model for governments
and organizations globally.




THE FULCRUM OF CYBERSECURITY

In Ukraine we see how a unified defense strategy in action, emphasizing threat
information sharing, as called for in the White House's Executive Order on
cybersecurity, is pivotal in safeguarding public and private networks. Effective
cyber resilience must be rooted in robust foundational practices, including:

 * Securing the crown jewels: Tailoring risk management strategies to an
   organization's unique needs is imperative. A methodical approach using key
   risk indicators (KRIs) can help organizations pinpoint and prioritize their
   most critical assets, aligning security measures with asset-specific
   requirements.

 * Mastering the attacker's view for advanced defense: Adopting a preemptive
   stance in system hardening and viewing an organization's attack surface
   through an attacker's perspective can unveil hidden vulnerabilities. Basic
   preventive measures should address security weaknesses such as misconfigured
   digital certificates, open ports, and DNS server issues, to name but a few.

 * Establishing continuous risk management: Given the inevitability of cyber
   incidents, organizations should invest in knowing and protecting their assets
   through advanced attack surface management. This should include domain threat
   intelligence, certificate lifecycle management, and vulnerability management,
   complemented with no-blame training for all and regular testing of written
   processes.




THE CRITICAL ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL READINESS AND COLLABORATION

Organizational readiness in cybersecurity involves a holistic approach
integrating various aspects of cyber defense. This readiness is not solely about
technological solutions but also encompasses the cultivation of a security-aware
culture within the organization. Here, advances in cognitive cybersecurity best
practices are essential in creating a proactive and continuous defense against
cyber threats using the talent you have in your organization.

Rapid and continuous collaboration, within and outside the organization, is
another critical element in effective cyber defense that any organization can
do. Information sharing between different departments within an organization and
with external partners can provide substantive insights and early warnings about
potential threats. Such collaboration is evident in Ukraine's strategy, where a
coordinated effort between government agencies and the private sector has been
instrumental in fortifying the nation's cyber defenses.




A TEMPLATE FOR CYBER RESILIENCE

The lessons from Ukraine's cyber-warfare experiences experiences extend beyond
national defense, offering actionable understanding for organizations in all
sectors. Embracing the principles of prioritizing critical assets, establishing
strong foundational cybersecurity practices, promoting organizational readiness,
and fostering collaboration are essential for an effective cyber-defense
strategy.

As geopolitical conflict plays out or spills over onto corporate infrastructure,
organizations will find that adopting these lessons is not just beneficial but
imperative. By following Ukraine's example, organizations can remain vigilant,
adaptable, and resilient in protecting their viability against an increasingly
dynamic threat landscape.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)

Dr. Sean Costigan

Director of Cyber Policy, Red Sift

Sean Costigan is an expert in emerging security challenges and a highly
sought-after speaker on technology and national security. He is the lead for
NATO’s cybersecurity curriculum and is widely published on national security
matters relating to information security and hybrid threats. He is also a
Professor at the George C. Marshall Center, where he educates on global
cybersecurity, hybrid warfare, crime, and national security.

See more from Dr. Sean Costigan
Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly discovered vulnerabilities,
data breach information, and emerging trends. Delivered daily or weekly right to
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