Prior to being appointed as Russia’s cybersecurity coordinator, Krutskikh headed an international expert group from 15 countries which analyzed international information security issues for the UN Secretary General. The group concluded that common approaches to fighting cyberthreats were needed and that those threats could be posed by countries as well as individual criminals and terrorists, according to a report by RIA Novosti.
The group set to resume its work in a few months. Russia is expected to push for inclusion of two policy documents in the group’s next report: Standards of Conduct for Ensuring International Security and a draft UN convention On Ensuring International Information Security. Krutskikh was involved in drafting both documents, according to RIA Novosti.
Krutskikh said in an interview last month that the international community is concerned with preventing escalation of international conflicts and destabilization through cyberattacks.
Judging by the new appointment at the Foreign Ministry, the Russian government has recognized not only the importance of addressing cybersecurity issues but also the fact that it would need matching forces to compete with the United States in this area, according to RIA Novosti.