Recording: Cyber Operations in Ukraine: A Conversation with Victor Zhora

In parallel to its invasion of Ukraine Russia has unleashed a wide range of cyber operations targeting Ukrainian interests. These have included disruptive cyberattacks, information operations and espionage. Many commentators have concluded that the impact of the disruptive attacks has been relatively limited, often pointing to effective cyber security measures on the part of Ukraine as the reason. Some have sought to draw wider conclusions about the effectiveness of offensive cyber as a tool during war time.

Victor Zhora, Deputy Chairman and Chief Digital Transformation Officer at the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection (SSSCIP) of Ukraine, reflects on cyber-related lessons learned , assesses Russia’s cyber capabilities, and appraises the role of the technology companies and other organisations in supporting Ukraine’s war effort in cyber. 

This event is chaired by Conrad Prince, RUSI Distinguished Fellow and former Director General for Operations at GCHQ.

Victor Zhora has been Deputy Chairman and Chief Digital Transformation Officer of the SSSCIP of Ukraine since January 2021. At the SSSCIP he is responsible for the cybersecurity of Ukrainian digital infrastructure, supervising digital transformation and cybersecurity projects, the Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine (CERT-UA), and the State Cyber Protection Centre. He is a graduate of the Institute of Physics and Technology at the National Technical University of Ukraine and the Institute of Software Systems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. He is the author of numerous scientific publications on information security and actively supports cybersecurity education programs.