Canada and CRDF Global Partner to Boost Ukraine’s Cyber Resilience

Adults at a Cybersecurity event

On April 22–23, 2025, on behalf of Global Affairs Canada, in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center (NCCC) under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and Cyber Unit Technologies, CRDF Global successfully conducted a cybersecurity hackathon (Bug Bounty event) at the specialized Cyber Range at the State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute.”

This was the first event in a series of cybersecurity capacity-building engagements under the new Capacity Building for Cybersecurity in Ukraine project, which aims to bolster Ukraine’s cyber defenses and strengthen its ability to rebuild and modernize critical digital infrastructure. The event was part of the broader agenda of the Tallinn Mechanism meeting that took place in Kyiv on April 23-24, 2025. 

Over two days, the event brought together some of Ukraine’s leading cybersecurity specialists, who worked collaboratively to identify and validate potential vulnerabilities in government digital resources. By leveraging the expertise of ethical hackers and a dedicated triage team, the Bug Bounty program is helping to enhance the security and resilience of Ukraine’s public sector systems.

Sean Boyd, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Canada to Ukraine, opened the event and emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine’s digital resilience and broader cybersecurity.

Mykhailo Verych, Regional Director of CRDF Global’s Europe & Eurasia Hub, highlighted that initiative is a clear demonstration of Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen its cyber defenses in the face of ongoing threats. By investing in cybersecurity capacity building, Canada is helping Ukraine protect the digital infrastructure that underpins essential government services and national security.

The Capacity Building for Cybersecurity in Ukraine project represents an important step in deepening cooperation between Canada and Ukraine in the digital domain — providing Ukrainian cybersecurity professionals with the tools, knowledge, and real-world experience to better secure critical systems and respond to ever-evolving cyber threats.