Targeting state-sponsored cybercrime coming from China, Russia, and Iran, the Foreign Ministers of the Quad grouping released a “statement on ransomware” that was the first of its kind. In it, they said they would fight against destructive cyber activities that target key infrastructure.
On Friday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited counterparts Antony Blinken of the United States, Penny Wong of Australia, and Hayashi Yoshimasa of Japan on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
“The international nature of ransomware can have a negative impact on our national security, finance sector and economic enterprise, essential infrastructure, and personal data protection. We applaud the 36 countries that have joined the US-led Counter Ransomware Initiative, as well as the regular, action-oriented consultations on cybercrime in the Indo-Pacific area, “according to the joint statement.
They agreed to work together to ensure the security and resilience of regional cyberinfrastructure. “We exercise our duty to support one another in the face of hostile cyber activities, including ransomware, against vital infrastructure,” the statement stated, referring to this as a call to action.
According to reports, the Quad statement is directed at harmful cyber actions originating primarily in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. “The Ministers demonstrate our commitment to combating ransomware threats to the cyberinfrastructure that supports Indo-Pacific economic development and security. According to the statement, “We pledge to continue working together on capacity-building programs and activities aimed at increasing regional cybersecurity and resistance to ransomware attacks in the Indo-Pacific.”
Quad Dedication
The Quadrilateral countries vow to enhance collaboration on capacity-building programs and initiatives aimed at increasing regional cybersecurity and resilience against ransomware attacks in the Indo-Pacific, according to the statement. The ministers emphasized that practical collaboration in combatting ransomware among Indo-Pacific neighbors would result in ransomware actors in the area being denied a safe harbor.
The statement says, “We focus on activities that lead to results to help partners in the Indo-Pacific build resilience, trust, and confidence in cyberspace, as well as effective incident-response capabilities.”
It stated that the Quad countries are dedicated to an “open, secure, stable, accessible, and peaceful cyberspace” and support regional measures to improve countries’ capacity to follow the UN Framework for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace. It said, “We are very sure that focused actions to improve the cyber capabilities of Indo-Pacific countries will ensure the security and resilience of regional cyberinfrastructure.”
Recalling the last Quad Foreign Ministers meeting on February 11 of this year, the ministers stated their commitment to combating the worldwide menace of ransomware, which has hampered Indo-Pacific economic development and security. The ministers agree that the multi-stakeholder approach to internet governance will uphold shared values in the design and use of technologies and cyberspace across the region.
They also emphasized the importance of the multi-stakeholder approach for counter-ransomware capacity building, which includes promoting the role of existing mechanisms like the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise.
“We applaud the negotiations for a potential new UN cybercrime convention as a long-term solution to handle cybercrime more broadly, which will be useful in combating ransomware. We emphasize the importance of drafting a new treaty in a technologically neutral and flexible manner that does not define specific technology or criminal tactics. ” According to the statement.
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