SSU Creates Regional Cyber Centers to Protect Critical Infrastructure

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has created cyber centers in all regions of Ukraine to more effectively repel attacks by Russian hackers on critical infrastructure.

This was reported on the SSU’s website.

Their task is to identify vulnerabilities in local critical infrastructure facilities in advance and to prevent and neutralize cyberattacks on them.

“We are focusing on proactive measures. In particular, on the preventive detection of vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure protection systems,” Volodymyr Karastelov, head of the SSU’s Cyber Security Department, said during his speech at the Kyiv International Cyber Resilience Forum.

At the same time, in an interview with Forbes, he noted that the leadership has identified technological development and strengthening the SSU’s digital capabilities as one of the key priorities.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the department’s specialists have neutralized more than 14,000 large-scale cyberattacks and critical cyber incidents.

The main targets were central government agencies and strategically important enterprises in the energy, transport, and defense sectors.

Successful SSU operation

Karastelov also reported on one of the successful cyber defense operations against the Pterodo virus.

SSU specialists identified its vulnerability and developed software that encrypts stolen data during its transfer to attackers.

According to the Service’s estimates, about 18,000 devices in Ukraine were infected with this spyware.

Karastelov separately emphasized that the SSU is constantly cooperating with state bodies, critical infrastructure operators, and international partners to strengthen Ukraine’s cyber resilience.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has previously enlisted hackers and artificial intelligence to scan the DOT-Chain Defence weapons marketplace for vulnerabilities.