On June 16, 2023, in Brussels, ECSO announced the accession of 20 new member companies. Among them are as follows: GigaCloud, Cyber Diia Platform and SCSA-UA.

This year, the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) has started providing free membership to Ukrainian companies. Together with its members and partners, the organisation works to strengthen Europe's cybersecurity and technological independence.

‘Today we see Ukraine's active European integration in all areas. After all, membership in the ECSO enables Ukrainian companies to work towards the development of a competitive European cybersecurity ecosystem. I am confident that the expertise and experience of our cyber specialists will benefit Europe a lot,’ says Kyrylo Naumenko, CTO at GigaCloud. ‘Currently, unfortunately, there are hardly any infrastructure partners among the organisation's members. But without a reliable IT infrastructure, even the most technologically advanced project is at risk.’

European market and other benefits for Ukraine

First, Ukrainian member companies will have access to the European market. Second, our specialists will be able to study, attend cybersecurity trainings, and consult with leading experts. Third, we will become closer to complying with the European security standards.

ECSO is also developing Women4Cyber, a women's movement. This is a direct step towards European human resources values, where women are given more career opportunities. This means that Ukrainian specialists will be able to receive support and networking from their European colleagues.

Flexible approach and human resources for Europe

Attracting highly skilled professionals to the community is one of the key needs of ECSO. Ukrainian IT specialists are highly valued in the world, and it is a mistake to think that this is only because of cheap labour.

Since January 2022, Ukraine has been ranked first in the world in terms of the number of cyberattacks. Russia launches an average of 10 attacks every day. Throughout the year of 2022, more than 4,500 cyberattacks were recorded against various Ukrainian public and private entities. Most of them were repelled. No European expert has such experience. This is the uniqueness of Ukrainian cyber specialists.

Europe strictly follows its own laws, while Ukraine can teach it flexibility.

Will integration into the EU IT community provoke an outflow of specialists from Ukraine?

Ukrainian business supports liberal values and free competition. When it enters the international arena, it must understand that it is opening up to a new market and, obviously, becoming vulnerable. Openness is always a risk. But it is competition that develops Ukrainian IT and forces it to compete, including in terms of salaries. This means that, in return, the prospect of an inflow of European specialists to Ukraine opens up.