Targeting state-sponsored cybercrime originating from China, Russia, and Iran, the Quad grouping’s Foreign Ministers issued an unified “statement on ransomware” — the first of its kind — expressing their decision to fight against destructive cyber activities targeting key infrastructure.
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 on Friday.
“The global aspect of ransomware can have a negative impact on our national security, financial sector and corporate enterprise, key infrastructure, and personal data protection.” “We applaud the 36 nations that have joined the US-led Counter Ransomware Initiative and the frequent, action-oriented meetings against cybercrime in the Indo-Pacific region,” the joint statement read.
They agreed to work together to ensure the security and resilience of regional cyber infrastructure.
“We exercise duty to support one another in the face of hostile cyber activities, including ransomware, targeting vital infrastructure,” the statement stated, referring to this as a call to action.
According to reports, the Quad declaration is directed at harmful cyber actions originating primarily in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The Quad nations vow to enhance collaboration on capacity-building programmes and initiatives targeted at increasing regional cybersecurity and resilience against ransomware attacks in the Indo-Pacific, according to the statement.
The ministers emphasised that practical collaboration in combatting ransomware among Indo-Pacific neighbours would result in ransomware perpetrators in the area being denied a safe harbour.
“We focus on results-oriented activities to support partners around the Indo-Pacific in strengthening their resilience, trust, and confidence in cyberspace, as well as effective incident-response capabilities,” according to the statement.
It said that the Quad nations are dedicated to a “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.
“We strongly think that concentrated actions to strengthen Indo-Pacific nations’ cyber capabilities will ensure the security and resilience of regional cyberinfrastructure,” it stated.
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 recognise that the multi-stakeholder approach to internet governance will uphold shared values in the design and use of technologies and cyberspace across the region, highlighting the importance of the multi-stakeholder approach for counter-ransomware capacity building, which includes promoting the role of existing mechanisms such as the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise.
