On October 11, the EastWest Institute (EWI) and the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) organized an international Seminar titled “Cooperation on Countering Cyber Crime and Protecting Critical Infrastructure.” This was the second in a planned series of seminars.

 Ambassador Cameron Munter, CEO & President of the EastWest Institute, and Igor Ivanov, RIAC President and the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, delivered the opening remarks. Bruce McConnell, Global Vice President and head of the EastWest Institute’s Cooperation in Cyberspace Initiative served as moderator. 

The first session of the seminar focused on cooperation in cyber crime prevention and counterterrorism measures. While emphasis was placed on the critical issue of a lack of mutual trust, participants underlined positive trends in U.S.-Russia relations concerning cybersecurity despite the current challenging atmosphere and tested bilateral relations. Participants agreed that areas in which both countries have collaborated successfully in addressing cyber crime should be promoted more widely, so as to affirm and drive momentum for additional subjects where U.S. and Russia cooperation may prove effective.
 
The second session was about cybersecurity norms and protection of critical infrastructure from cyber attacks. The reality remains that stakeholders often do not fully recognize the dangers to critical infrastructure inherent in the cyber sphere. Here, the experts confirmed that both nations have a common initiative and should pave the way for increasing levels of cooperation that will benefit relations, improve mutual trust and set the precedent for future generations.