The National Bank of Ukraine obliged banks and financial institutions to report within three weeks on the elimination of problems related to the use of software of Russian and Belarusian origin. This is stated in NBU telegram No. 57-0008/86444, reports Ministry of Finance.
The regulator notes that such software creates significant risks, which the NBU has repeatedly warned about. The report must provide information on two points:
- Implementation of a plan of measures to minimize cyber risks associated with the use of Russian software (these plans were previously provided by the banks to the NBU).
- The bank’s current level of dependence on software of Russian or Belarusian production.
Previously, the presence of Russian software was unofficially recognized in the banking sector, even in state-owned banks. At the same time, it was understood that it poses serious threats, including cyber attacks and hacking. Such attacks have repeatedly led to disruptions in the work of Internet banking and mobile applications, due to which customers were temporarily unable to make payments.
According to Anastasiya Skok, head of the Centralized Procurement Organization of the State Enterprise “Ukrainian Special Systems”, even after the introduction of sanctions against Russia and the start of a full-scale invasion, Russian software continues to be used in Ukraine. Moreover, some organizations still purchase it. She notes that this practice not only supports the Russian Federation financially, but also creates serious risks for business security.
