Cyber Defenders Participants Graduate Training Program in Ukraine
Dedicated to the shared mission and united in the desire to defend!
On July 18, 2024, the final Capture the Flag (CTF) competition for the participants of the 2024 “Cyber Defenders” reintegration training program was successfully conducted.
Defending in the digital space is a mission that unites everyone’s efforts in the fight for our country. This commitment not only sustains dedication but also opens new horizons for ensuring cybersecurity, making it an integral part of our national security.
CRDF Global in Ukraine, in collaboration with national partners, developed and launched the “Cyber Defenders” training program with the primary goal of equipping veterans with new knowledge and practical skills for successful integration into the cybersecurity field, thereby continuing their role in protecting our country in the digital realm.
To successfully complete the program, participants engaged in 80 hours of cybersecurity lectures, 160 hours of practical work on the unitrange.сom platform, and nearly 5 months of English language courses. The knowledge and skills acquired were showcased during the CTF segment, which marked the commencement of the final event of the reintegration training program.
During the conclusion of the current training cycle, a panel discussion titled “Employment Prospects in Cybersecurity: Challenges and New Horizons” was held. The discussion addressed various aspects such as the potential for scaling the program, opportunities for veteran employment, and the critical need to engage both public and private sectors in the recruitment of veterans. Esteemed speakers included representatives from National Cyber Security Coordination Center at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, Cyber Unit Technologies, the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy,” and the Cyberlab Computer Forensics Laboratory.
Sergii Demedyuk, Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine delivered a congratulatory address to the finalists and presented awards to the winners of the CTF competition. Achievements and successes of all program participants were recognized during the awards ceremony, where Mykhailo Verych, Regional Director of CRDF Global and Masi Nayyem Ukrainian Armed Forces service member and founder of the “Principle” NGO, presented program participants with certificates of qualification in “Cybersecurity” from the Department of Information Security at the Faculty of Information Technology, as well as English proficiency certificates from the British Council Ukraine.
The CRDF Global team extends sincere gratitude to all mentors for their contributions to the training process, active support, and motivation for participants. We deeply appreciate the dedication and professionalism of our mentoring and teaching staff. Their invaluable contributions were instrumental in helping participants acquire the theoretical and practical skills necessary to build successful careers in cybersecurity.
The implementation of the “Cyber Defenders 2024” program would not have been possible without the coordinated efforts and seamless collaboration of our key partners: National Cyber Security Coordination Center at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, Cyber Unit Technologies, the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Lobby X, British Council Ukraine, Wellbeing Company.
Through our collaborative and coordinated efforts, we equipped program participants with essential knowledge and skills in cybersecurity, employing a comprehensive approach to the training process.
United in our shared mission, we are dedicated to safeguarding national security. The resolve and cohesion of our graduates in fortifying national defense represent a crucial contribution to our country’s safety in the digital realm. Together, we are creating a strong and reliable shield for our nation.
The “Cyber Defenders” reintegration training program is implemented with the strategic and financial support of U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs’ Coordination Office.
