Ukraine’s Security Service Neutralises 600 Cyberattacks, Exposes 20 Hacker Groups in 2020

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) neutralised 600 cyberattacks and cyber incidents launched on Ukrainian government information resources and critical infrastructure facilities in 2020.

During this period, the SBU neutralised 20 groups involved in many cyberattacks and blocked more than 2,600 communities with 1 million followers and 21 botnets with about 60,000 accounts.

Many of these attacks are reported to have been tools of hybrid aggression. Their goal is to reduce the level of information security of Ukraine or to spread harmful content.

In particular, 40 people were prosecuted for spreading anti-Ukrainian propaganda and another 32 people were convicted. Some 158 foreigners involved in online propaganda of separatism were banned from entering Ukraine.

In addition, Ukraine counteracted unauthorised interference with computers and automated networks. In particular, during a special operation, the SBU revealed a scheme that caused large-scale damage to the state’s economy. It was organised by former leadership of the State Tax Service. According to estimates, tax fraud and conversion centres caused UAH 35 billion of state losses.

SBU cyber experts also exposed six criminal groups that hacked the database of the Ministry of Justice and entered invalid data into state registers.

Natalia Tolub