Total 617 words used.
ZONE3000 is an international software development company with over 25 years of experience. The company has headquarters in Dubai, UAE, but the majority of the team is based in Ukraine.
The onset of the Russian full-scale invasion presented unexpected challenges to the operations of ZONE3000, as its Ukrainian teams, based close to the frontline, faced immediate pressure to enhance resilience, reliability, and security in their operations.
Before 2022, ZONE3000 had established an emergency plan to support its Ukrainian team and meet client obligations. At that moment, the team consisted of 2000+ people, so the urgent task was to evacuate the staff without disrupting any operational processes. Furthermore, as ZONE3000’s services are based on using critical IT infrastructure, the task was to ensure technical invulnerability and continuity of the operational processes to fulfill obligations to the company’s clients. This included preventing DDoS attacks, performed massively by Russian hackers during 2022-2023.
In June 2022, ZONE3000 started implementing a recovery plan to stay resistant and continue business growth, including:
- Safe Workplaces.
- IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Enhancements.
- Financial Backing Solutions.
- Improved Remote Work Conditions.
- Enhancing Strategic Partnerships.
In 2022, ZONE3000 evacuated over 350 team members and their close people to safer locations near the EU border. For team members who left Ukraine, ZONE3000 organized extensive support, which included:
- Evacuation assistance to Poland and Bulgaria (60 hotel rooms in Poland and a team hub in Bulgaria accommodating 300 people).
- Compensation for self-evacuation expenses and financial support.
- 24/7 informational support and coordination.
Urgent measures helped to keep the whole team and made these turbulent changes mostly unnoticeable to the company’s clients, as all business processes continued as usual.
Constant Russian shelling resulted in frequent blackouts across Ukraine. In response, ZONE3000 opened team hubs in 15 major Ukrainian cities, ensuring team members had access to reliable working conditions, which included comfortable workspaces, uninterrupted power sources, Starlink internet, fiber optic connections, power generators, and shelters.
The company converted an old shelter in its Kharkiv office into a protected underground workspace, allowing team members to work during blackouts and find refuge during shelling. This facility now features a welcoming office atmosphere and essential amenities, including power generators and uninterruptible internet connectivity.
These initiatives provided team members with safe and comfortable working environments, enabling the company to maintain efficient operations despite challenging conditions.
Another priority was to update the company’s systems to support a growing digital workforce and prevent cyberattacks. The project included:
- Advanced cybersecurity measures (Multi-Factor Authentication, Security Audits, and Data Encryption).
- Active migration to cloud-based services.
- Upgrades to networking equipment.
- Development of robust backup and disaster recovery solutions.
ZONE3000 developed a backup plan to ensure a steady cash flow amidst turbulence. This proactive approach demonstrated the company's commitment to operational stability and trust among team members and clients.
The above-mentioned improvements ensured operational continuity and facilitated a flexible work environment for employees without concerns over outages. Clients, in their turn, continued to receive services without any disruptions.
To support remote workers, ZONE3000 provided its staff with IT support and equipment provision. A new internal communication strategy was developed to support employee well-being, along with the formation of a Human Resources Department to enhance employee satisfaction. ZONE3000 also focused on strengthening strategic partnerships with long-term clients, facilitating operational resilience.
During ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, ZONE3000 Ukrainian offices have exhibited resilience and adaptability, continuing to grow and thrive under challenging circumstances. In 2022 the company’s total income increased by 20%. Furthermore, ZONE3000 ranked 4th in the TOP-5 Best Ukrainian Employers during 2022-2023, ending up 3rd in 2024, according to the Ukrainian IT community ranking. Over 500 specialists have joined the company since July 2022. In 2024, the Ukrainian division of ZONE3000 supports over 20 active products.
Nomination Title: Navigating Crisis: ZONE3000's Strategic Resilience Amidst Russian Invasion of Ukraine
