Canada's Role in the Counter Ransomware Initiative
On this page
- About the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI)
- Public-Private Sector Advisory Panel
- Understanding ransomware
- Contact
About the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI)
The International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) is the world's largest international cyber partnership with over 74 members, including Canada.
Founded in 2021, the CRI builds collective resilience to ransomware, disrupts the infrastructure used by ransomware groups, and designs policy approaches to counter ransomware.
The CRI aims to develop international cyber partnerships. No single entity, no matter its capabilities or experience, can counter ransomware effectively alone. International partnerships strengthen our ability to detect, disrupt, and deter the transnational cybercrime groups that carry out ransomware attacks.
Ransomware is a national and economic security issue that affects all aspects of our lives. Through the CRI, our schools, hospitals, and businesses are better protected from ransomware threats.
International Counter Ransomware Initiative
Public Safety Canada leads Canada's participation in the CRI. Public Safety coordinates closely with other government organizations to create a collaborative and whole-of-society approach to cyber security that seeks to keep people in Canada safe.
Public-Private Sector Advisory Panel
Public Safety Canada demonstrates leadership in international cyber security policy by serving as co-chair for the CRI's Public-Private Sector Advisory Panel.
Launched in 2024, the advisory panel empowers CRI member governments to leverage cyber expertise from the private, research, and non-profit sectors. The advisory panel supports the following types of projects:
- Incident response and assistance for member countries facing a cyber intrusion
- Unique trend reports and papers on ransomware issues
- Tabletop exercises and other cyber training opportunities for member governments
- Guidance on public-private partnerships and best practices for member states
Current Members of the Advisory Panel
The advisory panel, chaired by Public Safety Canada, is made up of seven cyber private sector and non-profit entities. Members include large IT corporations, cyber security firms, and think tanks representing various regions of the world.
Government Co-chair
- Public Safety Canada
Non-Government Co-chairs
- Arctic Wolf
- BlackBerry
Non-Government Members
- Ensign InfoSecurity
- Institute for Security and Technology (IST)
- Microsoft
- Palo Alto Networks
- Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Understanding Ransomware
According to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre), a part of the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE), ransomware remains the top cybercrime threat facing Canada's critical infrastructure. It has a significant impact on both our national and economic security.
Ransomware Threat Outlook 2025 to 2027
National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026
Ransomware is a type of malware. It locks or encrypts the owner's data or system access until money is paid to the cybercriminal for its release. Impacts include:
- Disruptions to core business
- Loss of data
- Intellectual property theft
- Privacy breaches
- Reputational damage
- Significant recovery costs
- Threats to critical services, including healthcare, energy, and telecommunications.
The Government of Canada works to reduce the threat of ransomware by:
- targeting and disrupting cyber criminals
- coordinating strategies with international allies
- issuing advice, guidance, and services for those affected by ransomware.
For information on how Canadians and Canadian organizations can protect themselves against the ransomware threat and bolster their overall cyber resilience, consult the following resources from the Cyber Centre:
For information on how Canadians can protect themselves from common online threats, such as ransomware, phishing, identity theft and cybercrime, visit Get Cyber Safe.
Contact
If you have any questions about the Counter Ransomware Initiative, please contact us.
Reporting Ransomware
If you or your organization experience a ransomware attack, report it to:
- your local police; and,
- National Cybercrime Coordination Centre (NC3) through the Report Cybercrime and Fraud website
- the Cyber Centre through My Cyber Portal or by email at contact@cyber.gc.ca
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