The NBU advises banks to create backup communication channels for POS terminals. The cyber attack on Kyivstar and the failure of the mobile operator led to the fact that part of the banking infrastructure did not work.
How banks work after the cyberattack on Kyivstar
The Deputy Chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine, Oleksiy Shaban, said that the problems arise only with the operation of some of the POS terminals of the retail network, which work with the use of Kyivstar mobile communications.
Banks are already actively solving this situation — they reconfigure non-working POS terminals to work through other mobile operators or Wi-Fi.
The deputy head of the NBU also drew the bankers' attention to security measures to counter possible cyberattacks.
Throughout 2022-2023, we are constantly recording cyber attacks of various levels of complexity on the objects of the information infrastructure of banks and non-bank financial institutions. Therefore, we call on participants of the financial market to be vigilant, strengthen the level of information security and comply with the NBU's requirements in this area, - said Shaban.
The press service also reported that the National Bank of Ukraine is working as usual, including all information and payment systems of the NBU.
According to the banks, most ATMs and self-service terminals are working as usual. Bank branches work without interruption. Non-cash payments are made as usual.
There are also no difficulties in the work of banks' mobile applications; they function stably because they mostly use other elements of multifactor authentication, not SMS messages, during the login process and to confirm transactions.
Cyber attack on Kyivstar
On December 12, there was a large-scale failure in the work of the Kyivstar mobile communications operator.
Officially, the network was attacked by hackers. Later, it turned out that the GRU of the Russian Federation could be behind the attack on Kyivstar. The Russian hacking group "Solntsepek" claimed responsibility.
On that day, the Security Service opened a case regarding the hacker attack on "Kyivstar" under eight articles.
Due to the failure, 24 million customers of "Kyivstar" had no mobile communication and Internet throughout the country. The operator's website and mobile application did not work.
Mobile communications were restored on the evening of December 13. In advance, the Internet should appear on December 14.
After the stabilization of the network, all subscribers and corporate clients who could not use the company's services due to a hacker attack will receive compensation.
