EU Supports SBGS in Securing IT Systems to Strengthen Ukraine’s Border Management Amid Ongoing War

Monday, January 20, 2025

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In an era where secure and operable electronic systems are critical for state functions, protecting IT infrastructure becomes a matter of national security – particularly for Ukraine as it faces wartime challenges. To enhance these efforts, the EU-funded EU4IBM-Resilience Project provided assistance to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) by supporting the possibility of expeditious relocation of its data centres.

Recognising the increasing risks posed by the ongoing war, the SBGS prioritised enhancing the resilience and mobility of its data management systems. A containerised mobile data centre solution was identified as the optimal approach, offering both flexibility and scalability. To operationalise this solution, at the end of 2024 the EU4IBM-Resilience Project supplied a custom-designed reinforced semi-trailer to house and transport the modular data centre. This advanced infrastructure ensures that critical databases and essential services remain functional during emergencies or relocations.

“With the EU’s support, we successfully implemented an innovative solution that guarantees the resilience and security of our critical IT systems,” explained an SBGS IT officer.

The EU4IBM-Resilience Project played a crucial role in delivering both the expertise and resources needed for this practical achievement.

“Joint effort of EU-funded initiatives and our project, in particular, led to another tangible contribution to ensuring the resilience of our main partner in the area of integrated border management (IBM),” stated Vyacheslav Toporov, EU4IBM-Resilience Project Manager. “By integrating advanced, mobile infrastructure, we are strengthening the ability of the SBGS to be flexible and adaptable to the challenges of today’s security landscape.”

This initiative not only reinforces the EU’s continued support for Ukraine’s border security during wartime but also showcases the EU4IBM-Resilience Project’s flexibility in addressing emerging challenges. By assisting one of Ukraine’s key IBM stakeholders to secure IT systems and reduce vulnerabilities in its data centres, the Project continues to adapt its activities to meet the evolving needs of its partners in a timely and effective manner.

Background information: The project “EU Support to Strengthening Integrated Border Management in Ukraine –Resilience (EU4IBM-Resilience)” is funded by the EU and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). The project is aimed at building the resilience of the Ukrainian border management agencies during wartime, as well as supporting further reforms to approximate the border management system of Ukraine to the EU standards and best practices in line with the Integrated Border Management Strategy of Ukraine adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers on 24 July 2019. The project runs from December 2022 until May 2025.

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The EU4IBM project team includes international technical assistance professionals and subject matter experts from Ukraine and the European Union who work on a daily basis to support the border management agencies of Ukraine in the time of war, as well as to further assist in the implementation of national reforms that bring the Ukrainian border management system closer to the standards and best practices of integrated border management. Support our work by sharing our official page on social networks

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