Cybersecurity for advocates: what the new UNBA Committee will focus on

The Ukrainian National Bar Association held the first meeting of the Committee on cybersecurity and virtual assets. Participants identified the committee’s key areas of focus and the subcommittees that will address them.

The meeting, which took place on August 13, was chaired by Committee chairman Andriy Galych. He outlined the Committee’s goals and main objectives, which include protecting individuals’ rights in cyberspace, improving legislation, and raising standards for the provision of legal assistance.

A. Galich noted that the issues the Committee will address include cybercrime, unlawful interference with information systems, and the theft of virtual assets. According to him, advocates must acquire the necessary knowledge, tools and legal mechanisms to protect clients in the digital environment and participate in improving legislation.

Deputy chairman Roman Ostrovsky reported that following the announcement of the Committee’s creation, the UNBA received over 30 applications from professionals expressing a desire to join its work. Among them are experts in crypto investigations and cybersecurity, former law enforcement officers, forensic experts, and advocates. He therefore invited participants to introduce themselves and share their professional experience.

Deputy chairman Vitaliy Fedirko outlined the organizational framework for the Committee’s work. He noted that Committee representatives may be invited to join working groups of the Verkhovna Rada and other government bodies to participate in the legislative process. The discussion also covered the organization of specialized educational events and the procedures for maintaining records within the UNBA Committees.

A. Galych informed those present about preparations for a seminar on the technical protection of information covered by attorney-client privilege. He also announced that the event would feature a demonstration of special devices for detecting covert information-gathering tools.

Four sections will be established within the Committee’s structure, focusing on the following areas:

• technical information security;
• combating cybercrime;
• interaction with virtual assets;
• expert research on cryptocurrencies.

As a reminder, the UNBA Committee on cybersecurity and virtual assets was established by Order No. 209 of the President of the UNBA, BCU dated August 6, 2026.