“The cyber actors are great at their craft and we just have to be better.”
In a recent interview with PAHomepage, Global Guardian SVP of Business Operations and Risk Management Greg McAleer discusses the possibility of cyber attacks stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the need for organizations—and even the general public—to stay vigilant in their cyber security defenses.
"As Russian tanks rolled in, Global Guardian, a U.S. firm that advises businesses on security risks, used buses to take 200 workers from international financial services, legal and other office-based companies operating in Ukraine to Poland."
In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, President and CEO Dale Buckner comments on Global Guardian's evacuation efforts in Ukraine, assisting with the movement of foreign nationals prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and continuing to actively evacuate clients on the ground.
"We knew we were going to be active. We've been preparing our clients for a little over a month, and once combat operations started, we knew that we would have to ebb and flow and adjust to the circumstances on the ground."
In a recent interview on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business, Global Guardian CEO Dale Buckner weighs in on the developing situation in Ukraine. He also discusses how Global Guardian was prepared to assist clients with evacuation efforts by anticipating the lack of U.S. government support in assisting expats overseas in crisis, similar to that seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fall of Afghanistan.
Now on day two, Russia's blitzkrieg into Ukraine is continuing after meeting some resistance. It is clear that a regime change in Kyiv and the rapid destruction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are Moscow's immediate objectives.
Around 06:00 local time, Russia commenced a full-scale assault against Ukraine, involving air and missile strikes, as well as a ground invasion from the north, south, and east. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the goal of the operation was to “demilitarize” and "de-nazify" Ukraine. Ukraine has declared martial law and called on its citizens to resist.
On Monday, President Putin formally recognized the independence of the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LNR) in eastern Ukraine and deployed the Russian military on a "peacekeeping" mission to secure the separatist-controlled territory. The conflict has entered a new phase as the status quo has been changed. Ukraine is on high alert for any further incursion by Russian troops.
Russian pretexts for active military involvement are taking shape as the conflict heats up in the Donbas and civilians in the separatist territory are ordered to evacuate to Russia. Russia formally responded to the U.S. diplomatic proposals by threatening "military-technical measures" should its demands not be met.
Despite the conflicting reports of a partial Russian withdrawal, tensions have risen over the past several days. A resolution to the situation remains elusive as the Kremlin puts out mixed signals regarding its intentions.
"We are advising all our Western clients with expats to take advantage of commercial air and rail travel while those options, albeit limited, are still available and operating."
In a recent article in Business Travel News, Global Guardian CEO Dale Buckner comments on the need for expats to leave Ukraine while commercial air options are still available—and how to prepare key and essential employees on the ground with a swift exit plan, including communication and ground transportation assets.
