BDO in Ukraine Joined the Discussion on the Role of Cybersecurity in Youth Career Choice
BDO in Ukraine acted as a sponsor of the Youth Cybersecurity Talent conference — an event that brought together representatives of education, academia, business, and young talents around the topic of cybersecurity development, professional skills, and Ukraine’s digital resilience.
Supporting young talent in cybersecurity
The conference was held within the framework of the Junior CTF League—Ukraine’s first national cybersecurity olympiad for teenagers aged 14–19. The initiative aims to transform young people’s interest in technology into practical professional skills, support the development of a new generation of cyber defenders, and create opportunities for teenagers and students to grow and build their careers in Ukraine.
The project is implemented with the support of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, and the Presidential Foundation. The final stage of the competition brought together 150 participants: 30 teams from various regions of Ukraine that were selected through a competitive process. Based on the results of the competition, the national team of Ukraine is formed to participate in the European Cyber Security Challenge 2026 in Germany, Bochum.
Cybersecurity as a path for career self-determination
A dedicated part of the conference was a panel discussion titled “Leave or Stay? Youth Self-Determination in Times of Crisis and Cybersecurity as a Way to Transform Risk Experience into Borderless Professional Capital.”
Participants discussed the factors currently influencing young people’s choices: whether to stay in Ukraine, pursue education and build their careers locally, or seek opportunities abroad. The conversation focused on issues of security, quality of education, professional development, the role of business, access to hands-on experience, and the ability of Ukrainian youth to transform crisis experience into a competitive advantage.
The discussion was moderated by Anastasiia Kyreieva-Kyslynska, Chair of the Board of the NGO “New Format of Education” and founder of Spilnoshkola and the U: maker Academy. She emphasized that the question of youth choice cannot be reduced to a simple “leave or stay” dichotomy. Rather, it is about a deeper process of self-determination, where it is important to see not only risks but also opportunities for action, development, and impact.
“The question is not only where to be, but where a young person can best realize their potential and ability to act,” the moderator noted.
The panel also featured Andrii Borenkov, Head of Advisory at BDO in Ukraine and an expert in business risk management and digital transformation. In his remarks, he noted that the decision to stay in Ukraine or gain experience abroad should not be perceived as a once-and-for-all choice for life. In today’s world, a professional path may include mobility, international experience, returning, and further development in Ukraine.
“The ‘leave or stay’ choice should not be seen as a final decision. It is part of a professional journey that can evolve over time,” Andrii Borenkov emphasized.
He also emphasized that Ukraine offers unique opportunities for the rapid professional development of young specialists. Within Ukrainian business, they can take on responsibilities earlier, grow professionally at a faster pace, and work on real-world challenges that build practical experience.
“Ukraine offers young professionals what is difficult to gain in more stable markets: speed of growth, real challenges, and transformation experience that is highly valued globally,” Andrii Borenkov noted.
Regarding the role of business, he emphasized that companies can offer young people not just jobs, but an environment where they can grow professionally. This means involving young specialists in real projects and being ready to invest in their development, helping them adapt to a labor market that is evolving at a rapid pace.
The role of education and business in youth development
Andrii Hlybovets, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, highlighted the quality of Ukrainian education and the importance of transparent communication about its strengths. He noted that Ukrainian universities—particularly leading academic institutions—are able to compete with many foreign institutions that Ukrainian applicants often choose.
“The average standard of our leading universities is often higher than that of many foreign institutions chosen by Ukrainian applicants,” Andrii Hlybovets noted.
He also emphasized that Ukrainian youth have the opportunity to learn through real-world challenges and work with cutting-edge technologies. This is especially important in cybersecurity, where Ukrainian specialists face real incidents and gain experience that is highly valued worldwide.
Vita Humeniuk, Director of the U: maker Academy Lyceum, emphasized the role of self-determination. She referred to sociological research indicating a high level of optimism among Ukrainian youth and their willingness to contribute to the country’s recovery. At the same time, she highlighted a gap between the desire to influence change and meaningful action.
She noted that the role of education is to help teenagers and students understand themselves, their values, and their direction. In this context, the choice to stay or leave ceases to be a reaction driven by fear and instead becomes a conscious decision about where one can best realize their potential.
Eduard Karaush, a cybersecurity lecturer at the Kyiv School of Economics, spoke about the practical dimension of cybersecurity and the need for closer engagement between business and young people. He noted that young professionals often lack sufficient awareness of the opportunities offered by Ukrainian businesses, particularly in the field of cybersecurity.
“Ukrainian business has many advantages, but they need to be communicated more effectively to young people so that they can see the opportunities available to them here,” Eduard Karaush noted.
He also emphasized that it is important for businesses to open their doors to young talent by creating academies, internships, and student engagement programmes, and by giving them insight into the real work of professionals. This helps young people better understand the profession, see long-term prospects, and shape their own development paths.
Participants in the discussion agreed that Ukraine’s experience of crisis management can serve not only as a challenge, but also as a source of professional growth. In cybersecurity, this is particularly significant: Ukrainian specialists operate in an environment of real threats, rapid decision-making, and continuous transformation. Such experience fosters adaptability, systems thinking, the ability to manage risks, make decisions under uncertainty, and quickly integrate new technologies.
BDO in Ukraine supports the development of digital resilience
For BDO in Ukraine, participation in such initiatives is an important part of a broader approach to supporting people development, strengthening digital resilience, and enhancing the country’s professional capacity. Cybersecurity, risk management, digital transformation, and crisis-response thinking are becoming essential competencies for businesses, government institutions, and professionals who are already shaping Ukraine’s future today.
The Youth Cybersecurity Talent conference demonstrated that Ukrainian youth have strong potential for development in high-tech sectors. The task for educational institutions, businesses, the government, and the public sector is to create the conditions in which this potential can be realized in Ukraine and remain competitive globally.
BDO in Ukraine will continue to support initiatives that contribute to the development of professional skills, strengthen digital security, and shape a new generation of professionals capable of addressing future challenges. As a company providing cybersecurity services, we clearly understand the value of practical knowledge in this field and the importance of early career development.
Looking to start your career in an international company and work on real business challenges? Join an internship at BDO in Ukraine — an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, receive mentorship support, and take your first step toward professional growth. Feel free to contact us.
