A new international agreement involving the UK and over 35 other nations aims to combat the proliferation of “hackers-for-hire” and the commercial market for cyber attack tools.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, in collaboration with France, will lead a two-day conference addressing the threat posed by the commercial market for malicious cyber tools and its impact on global security. Notable companies like Apple, BAE Systems, Google, and Microsoft will participate in the conference.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reports that the commercial cyber intrusion sector is growing rapidly, doubling in size every decade. Malicious actors use these tools to gain unauthorized access to devices, intercept calls, obtain photos, and remotely control device cameras and microphones.
The NCSC warns that thousands of individuals worldwide are targeted annually, with “hackers-for-hire” engaged in corporate espionage, and hostile states posing threats to national security.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister Dowden emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts to address cyber threats, highlighting the UK’s commitment to leading in cybersecurity and innovation. Under the Pall Mall Process agreement, measures to discourage irresponsible behaviour and enhance accountability, transparency, and oversight within the sector will be explored.
Paul Chichester, NCSC’s director of operations, underscores the need for global cooperation to address the issue. He emphasizes the importance of improving oversight and transparency in the development, sale, and usage of cyber intrusion tools to mitigate threats to digital society.
The collective effort aims to foster a thriving global cybersecurity sector and reduce the impact of cyber threats on individuals and societies worldwide.
