3/2/2018
Joint UK-Australia Statement on Cyber Co-operation - GOV.UK
GOV.UK
1. Home (https://www.gov.uk/)
Press release
Joint UK-Australia Statement on Cyber Co-operation
The UK and Australia confirm their joint commitment to promoting an international stability framework
for cyberspace.
Published 11 July 2017
From:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office)
The UK and Australia enjoy a historic relationship and modern partnership. It is a unique and enduring bond built
on friendship and shared values; one underpinned by strong security, prosperity and people-to-people links; one
more relevant than ever as we work together advancing common interests and tackling global issues, including in
cyberspace. We recognise that the pace and development of new technologies and applications, in conjunction
with greater access, is delivering significant opportunities for both economic and social development. While
bringing great advantages, the reliance on increasingly interconnected networks also exposes states to new
vulnerabilities. Irresponsible or illegal exploitation of those vulnerabilities can have both profound impact on the
victim and, in the most egregious cases, risk international stability.
We confirm our joint commitment to promoting an international stability framework for cyberspace based on the
application of existing international law, agreed voluntary norms of responsible state behaviour and confidence
building measures, supported by co-ordinated capacity building programmes.
Australia and the UK will co-operate to deter, mitigate and attribute malicious cyber attacks by criminals, state
actors and their proxies, including those that seek to interfere in the internal democratic processes of states. We
will work with industry to implement resilient cyber security solutions for their products and services. We will also
share lessons learned as we develop measures to provide defences across our governments, and make it easier
for individuals and organisations to stay safe online.
We reaffirm our commitment to a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace. The foundation for responsible
state behaviour in cyberspace is our mutual commitment to existing international law, including the respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the application of international humanitarian law to cyber operations
in armed conflict. We reaffirm that the UN Charter applies in its entirety to state actions in cyberspace, including
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-uk-australia-statement-on-cyber-co-operation
1/3