Earlier this year, the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of international information security. The treaty, which some have dubbed a “nonaggression pact” for cyberspace, details cooperative measures both governments pledge to undertake, including exchange of information and increased scientific and academic cooperation.
Russia and China in this instance agreed not to hack each other and to work together to thwart technology that might “destabilize the internal political and socio-economic atmosphere,” “disturb public order” or “interfere with the internal affairs of the state,” according to a Wall Street Journal report.
It may be a reaction to the US sanctions against Russia or a continuation of a series of diplomatic initiatives launched by both countries. Regardless, it points to a remarkable level of cooperation. The agreement also pledges to refrain from attacking one another.
It’s too early to tell where this will lead, but it’s worth noting that they both possess mature, sophisticated and well-funded cybersecurity expertise – combined it has serious potential to do harm to any common target.
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