In February, the Critical Entities Resilience Group (CERG) welcomed experts from the Special State Service for Communication and Information Protection (SSSCIP). The experts exchanged with delegates of the group and held a series of bilateral meetings with Commission services and the EEAS. The Commission Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (HOME) is coordinating cooperation with SSSCIP to support the defence of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and to benefit from the expertise of Ukrainian authorities in that domain. 

Established on February 23rd, 2006, SSSCIP holds a distinctive status within the central executive authorities. Functioning across 16 key areas of activity, the SSSCIP, under the stewardship of its Administration performs over 100 functions and consists of territorial units, divisions, associated institutions and enterprises; it executes a pivotal role in shaping and implementing state policy in those areas.

The Administration of the SSSCIP, with its broad spectrum of responsibilities, encompasses critical domains such as special communications, information security, cyber protection, and active counteraction to cyber aggression. It serves as the principal authority in safeguarding critical infrastructure and regulates communication services, ensuring the integrity of national networks. The SSSCIP executes specialized tasks ranging from special-purpose state field-eger service and state communication services to technical and cryptographic information protection, cyber protection of critical information infrastructure as well as national TV and radio services.

Amidst the ongoing Russian invasion, the SSSCIP has been entrusted with additional duties, including the management of communication networks, the procurement of unmanned devices and systems for national defence forces as well as the formulation of state policy in the sphere of critical infrastructure protection and the coordination of subjects of the national critical infrastructure protection system.

The protection of critical infrastructure stands as a paramount priority for Ukraine, especially in the face of relentless aggression targeting civilian infrastructure. Russians use a significant number of guided aerial bombs, weighing up to 1.5 tons and capable of destroying everything they hit. 

Since the beginning of 2024, Russia has fired nearly 1,200 missiles of different types including aeroballistic, more than 1,500 "Shahed" drones and more than 9,000 guided aerial bombs. The total explosive power of combined airstrikes on Ukraine for this period exceeds 9 kilotons. Only 3% of Russian missiles, drones and guided bombs hit military targets, while 97% hit civilian infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for critical infrastructure protection.

Ukraine’s commitment to critical infrastructure protection is evident through legislative measures such as the Law of Ukraine "On Critical Infrastructure". According to this Law the SSSCIP was designated as the authorized body for critical infrastructure protection during martial law and for 12 months after its termination. This law underscores the nation’s steadfast resolve to bolster its resilience against external threats. As the designated authority for critical infrastructure protection, the Administration of the SSSCIP spearheads the formulation and implementation of state policy in this sphere. Key initiatives include the creation and maintenance of the Register of critical infrastructure facilities, along with organizing the comprehensive assessments of their protection measures.

In 2023, the SSSCIP as the authorized body in the sphere of critical infrastructure protection conducted over 200 working sessions, advancing its mandate in critical infrastructure protection and refining the national critical infrastructure protection system. Noteworthy achievements include the development of the National Plan for the Protection, Security, and Resilience of Critical Infrastructure, a pivotal step towards enhancing the nation’s preparedness and resilience. The State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine remains resolute in its commitment to protecting critical infrastructure, ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of the state in the face of the Russian aggression and the ever-evolving threats’ landscape.