© 9sdworld/pixabay.com The formation will be subordinate to the commander-in-chief and the president.
The Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, gave its backing in the initial reading to bill number 12349 regarding the establishment of the Cyber Forces within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The legislative piece garnered support from 255 people’s representatives during the assembly on October 9.
The explanatory memorandum attached to the bill clarifies that cyber security forms a crucial element of NATO’s core mission of prevention and security. Simultaneously, the digital realm possesses unique attributes (absence of national boundaries, potential attacks on civilian infrastructure and populace, lack of clear identification in the digital sphere), rendering it challenging to define an intrusion or the specifics of conducting combat activities without supplementary norms.
“The objective of enacting the Law of Ukraine “Concerning Cyber Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine” is to institute a military and technical framework within the Armed Forces of Ukraine consistent with NATO standards. This framework will assume responsibility for Ukraine’s cyber protection, safeguarding its sovereignty and land integrity in the digital landscape,” the submission elucidates.
The proposed legislation anticipates involving civilian specialists in cyber forces for implementing cyber protection measures. Granting military personnel status to these individuals will not be an absolute prerequisite.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reported that the novel agency will oversee the state’s cyber defense. The cyber units will function under the immediate military supervision of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief and the comprehensive management of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
The vital functions of Cyberforce encompass:
- safeguarding electronic communication networks and systems that govern technological operations within the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- preparation and execution of military cyber campaigns;
- collaboration with NATO and allied partners to tackle shared threats in the online sphere.
The legislation is still awaiting evaluation in a successive reading.
