Australian Interior Ministry urged Russia to fight hackers

Australian Home Office Secretary Michael Pezzullo urged the Russian government to deal with cybercriminals and “pacify” them. The hacker attacks pose a threat to Australia’s national security, the official said.

“We call on the Russian government to pacify these hackers,” said Mr. Pezzullo, reports Reuters. “They are not a rule of law country, and the idea that ordinary law enforcement disciplines can be applied there is completely naive,” the official added.

According to him, Russia has the largest number of cybercriminals, especially those who use ransomware. He pointed out that cyber attacks can be carried out not only by criminals, but also by the state itself. “The blurring and ambiguity that all this creates is a political problem, not to mention regulation,” said the Australian Home Office Secretary.

Since the end of 2022, at least eight Australian companies have reported cyberattacks, including Medibank Private Ltd and Optus. As a result, the government has decided to revise its cybersecurity regulations. In particular, the country will work out the coordination of state investments in this area.

Back in 2020, the US Department of Justice charged six Russians in absentia with hacking. The damage from their attacks, according to Washington, exceeded $1 billion for the United States alone. In January 2023, Russian hackers were accused of attacks on the UK postal service and the Italian energy agency.

Lusine Balasyan