The Quad members–India, Australia, Japan and the United States–discussed the importance of enhanced cooperation in the field of cyber security while reaffirming an Indo-Pacific that is resilient and equipped against cyber attacks.
The third in-person Quad Senior Cyber Group (QSCG) Principal Meeting took place in Tokyo recently. The National Cyber Security Coordinator, Lt. General MU Nair, represented New Delhi at the meeting.
Along with him, Hamish Hansford, Deputy Secretary Cyber and Infrastructure Security of Australia’s Home Affairs; Keiichi Ichikawa, Deputy National Security Advisor and Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan; and Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology participated at the event. “Together, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is resilient and equipped to detect and deter cyber-attacks,” read the joint statement of the Quad Senior Cyber Group.
It added that the Quad countries are among the world’s leaders in advancing digital technology, connectivity, and resilience and are undertaking efforts to provide capacity building in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen the ability to defend their government networks and critical infrastructure from cyber disruptions.
The Quad partners also reaffirmed the application of international law to cyberspace and expressed serious concern about cyber attacks in the region on critical infrastructure. They also welcomed progress on the Quad cyber initiatives.
“We reaffirmed our support for the Quad Cyber security Partnership: Joint Principles, including through work done in Secure Software, Cyber security of Critical Infrastructure, Supply Chain Resilience and Security, and Cyber Awareness through the Quad Cyber Challenge events to encourage participants across the Indo-Pacific to enhance their cyber security and cyber awareness,” the joint statement read.
During the meeting, the Quad partners welcomed the idea of sharing cyber resources through capacity-building projects to improve the security of infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific.
They all recognised that a safe and secure cyberspace contributes to a healthy and secure society and that international cooperation is key to this.
Business Standard
