Like-minded countries need to cooperate more closely to shield critical infrastructure and prevent systemic disruptions.

There is a need to formulate a national strategy to tackle ransomware threat as this cybercrime affects governments, businesses and individuals.

Cyberconflict in Ukraine has become normalised in that it is focused, there is no lasting damage, and it effectively conveys a sense of helplessness to the affected government and population. At the same time, it signals to other governments that they are not impervious to such attacks.

US has undertaken a number of initiatives on cybersecurity, specifically ransomware, one of them being the Counter-Ransomware Initiative Meeting held in October 2021. Whether this attempt by the US to mobilise a larger group of countries to discuss ransomware will lead to real outcomes, or is just meant to endorse its actions, remains to be seen.

Cyber criminals have caused economic losses and operational disruptions to organisations involved in vaccine research and distribution.

With the adoption of varied digital means in times of pandemic, the states are likely to witness increased cyberattacks. Absence of an effective response would only mean an open playground for perpetrators.