Canada presses for G7 quick-reaction group on cybersecurity after Ukraine invasion

May 13, 2022 | 9:59 AM

OTTAWA — Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne is proposing that G7 countries establish a quick-reaction group on cybersecurity to help build up resilience to attacks following the invasion of Ukraine. 

Champagne says he suggested to a meeting of G7 digital ministers in Germany that they pool expertise to fend off attacks and protect crucial information-technology infrastructure. 

He says cybersecurity was the prominent theme of the discussions between Canada and the G7, which includes the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany. 

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov joined the G7 meeting virtually — which Champagne says prompted not just empathy but a desire for action from Canada and its allies. 

He says the G7 discussed learning from what has happened in Ukraine as well as the experiences of other nations subjected to cyberattacks.

The minister says the proposed G7 cybersecurity working group would help better prepare Canada and its allies to fend off cyberaggression now and in future. 

Russia has been accused of launching cyberattacks abroad, as well as disinformation campaigns about its invasion of Ukraine.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2022.

The Canadian Press

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