Ukrainian public institutions strengthen defences against cyber threats through OSCE cyber hygiene project for public servants

A new cyber hygiene project for employees of state institutions in Ukraine was presented on 30 September 2021 by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine with the National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service and the Ukrainian School of Governance (USG). The project comprises an online and in-person programme for basic cybersecurity skills, an equipped mobile training centre and a pool of trainers prepared to teach public servants.

The project’s short-term course, Cyber Hygiene Essentials, comprises nine online modules, available at Diia. Digital Education Platform  and Despro online resource, which are complemented by a 2-day in-person training session delivered by the USG, an official provider of training courses for public officials. The short-term course covers a range of topics related to the most widespread digital threats, including hacking and phishing, and ways to avoid them.

Further training courses were delivered at various locations using 20 laptops provided by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in support of the project. The laptops were equipped with appropriate software and complemented by a Methodological Manual and Workbook for Participants of Cyber Hygiene Training developed by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator. In addition, a pool of 52 trainers were selected and prepared to provide training courses, including pilot training sessions.

Once a public servant completes the course, they are entitled to one European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) point in the state’s system of retraining and career management. One ECTS stands for 30 hours of annual mandatory re-training of civil servants.

“By adopting sound cyber hygiene practices, organizations and state institutions are better able to ensure security of their information systems, as it gives every individual a role to play in protecting their network and resources from hackers,” said Henrik Villadsen, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.  

To complement the project and further support Ukrainian partners in addressing cyberspace-related risks, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator will launch in October 2021an awareness-raising campaign and develop advanced training courses for IT specialists employed by state institutions.

These cyberspace-related efforts are being implemented as part of the OSCE project, “Strengthening Ukrainian State Authorities’ Cyber Hygiene and Cybersecurity Capacity”, and with financial support from the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and the German Federal Foreign Office.