In a significant move to fortify the Indo-Pacific region against cyber threats, Quad members – India, Australia, Japan, and the United States – convened for the third in-person Quad Senior Cyber Group (QSCG) Principal Meeting in Tokyo on December 5-6. The meeting emphasized the critical need for enhanced cooperation in the field of cybersecurity to ensure a resilient Indo-Pacific that can effectively detect and deter cyberattacks.
Representing New Delhi at the meeting was Lt General MU Nair, the National Cyber Security Coordinator. Other key participants included Hamish Hansford from Australia’s Home Affairs, Keiichi Ichikawa from Japan’s Deputy National Security Advisor and Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary, and Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology from the United States.
The joint statement released after the meeting underscored the commitment of Quad members to building a resilient Indo-Pacific that can withstand cyber threats. The Quad countries, recognized as global leaders in digital technology, connectivity, and resilience, pledged efforts to provide capacity building in the Indo-Pacific region. This initiative aims to strengthen the ability of nations to defend their government networks and critical infrastructure from cyber disruptions.
The Quad partners reiterated their commitment to the application of international law in cyberspace and expressed serious concern about cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure in the region. Progress on Quad cyber initiatives, including the Quad Cybersecurity Partnership: Joint Principles, was welcomed, highlighting work in areas such as Secure Software, Cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructure, Supply Chain Resilience and Security, and Cyber Awareness through events like the Quad Cyber Challenge.
During the meeting, the Quad partners endorsed the concept of sharing cyber resources through capacity-building projects. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the security of infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific, recognizing the importance of a safe and secure cyberspace for a healthy and secure society.
Addressing the escalating frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, the Quad partners discussed the imperative of enhanced cooperation to secure the resilience of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems in critical infrastructure. Mutual recognition of Quad nations’ labeling schemes for cybersecurity of Internet of Things (IoT) products, along with the incorporation of critical and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, were also emphasized.
The Quad partners reaffirmed the necessity for reliable, secure, and resilient supply chains in critical sectors. Fields of cooperation identified during the meeting included digital infrastructure and connectivity, covering aspects such as undersea cables, telecommunications networks, and cloud services.
The joint commitment of Quad partners is not limited to discussions alone. The statement concluded with a firm pledge to leverage each other’s strengths and resources to progress Quad cyber initiatives. The ultimate goal is to promote a more secure cyberspace and realize the Quad Leaders’ vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient. The focus now shifts to the upcoming Quad Leaders’ Meeting, where continued collaboration and practical outcomes are expected to shape the region’s cybersecurity landscape.