Australia is a founding member of the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI), an initiative established by the US in 2021 to combat the growing threat of ransomware. It aims to build cross-border resilience and collectively deter, disrupt and defend against malicious cyber actors through concerted international cooperation.
The CRI comprises more than 74 member states and organisations, including private sector representatives, and is led by a Steering Committee comprised of:
- Australia
- Germany
- Singapore
- the United Kingdom
- the United States.
Between 2022 and 2025 Australia co-led with Lithuania the International Counter Ransomware Taskforce pillar within the CRI, focusing on information sharing and operationally focused projects.
In 2026, Australia is leading development of the CRI Global Standards Framework. The CRI Global Standards Framework is a world-leading, Framework that sets out a practical roadmap for hardening the global environment to ransomware actors and enhancing global resilience to the threat.
Australia also developed and manages the CRI website – where you can find a list of members. See about the CRI.
Read more information about the initiative below:
You can also read about what the CRI is doing to combat ransomware threats.
