BRICS Highlights Urgent Need to Protect Shared Digital Space
The English section of webangah News Agency reports, citing Mehr News Agency and TV BRICS, that an 80-percent annual increase in cyberattacks worldwide has put critical organizations and infrastructures at severe risk. Daily targets include government bodies, industries, energy grids, transportation networks, banks, and retail stores-leaving virtually no association immune.
Experts warn that cybercriminals increasingly ignore borders while leveraging advanced technologies to inflict greater damage than before. They also remain undetected for longer periods.
According to open-source data from the first quarter of 2025, Latin America and Africa experienced the highest number of cyberattacks. This underscores the urgent need for unified global cooperation against digital threats. Specialists view BRICS cooperation as a global model in this domain due to its pivotal role in shaping interstate internet governance based on virtual sovereignty principles.
Diverse Dimensions of Cybercrime Among BRICS Members
The BRICS National Research Committee reported:
In Brazil, fraudsters frequently impersonate e-commerce platforms and telecom operators to steal user login credentials.
In Russia, criminals pose as public utility employees to deceive victims.
In South Africa, internet scammers commonly target investors.
India ranks among the top ten countries globally for spam distribution.
the United Arab Emirates is among the world’s top three countries facing the highest costs from data breaches. Damages from these cybercrimes reach billions of dollars and mainly target trade secrets as well as governmental and technological information.
No single type of cyber threat is exclusive to any one country; instead, nations pursue joint practical solutions tailored by factors such as geography, territory size, economic development level or population demographics.
russia’s Efforts Against Cybercrime
At the 2024 BRICS summit, Igor Krasnov-Russia’s Prosecutor General-announced software development designed to block illegal cryptocurrency flows while supporting criminal investigations and financial oversight. Russian law enforcement benefits from vast domestic intelligence sources enabling rapid data collection and responses including asset transfer blocks abroad or preventing hostile corporate takeovers.
Liliya Alieva-a economist researcher-in an interview with TV BRICS stated that Russia maintains multilateral digital collaborations with other BRICS members across various levels. She added that these partnerships create new opportunities for utilizing Russian ICT capabilities especially in cybersecurity specialist training programs.
Iran’s Experience Using Artificial Intelligence against Cybercrime
iran had already been harnessing advanced technologies prior to joining BRICS-with initiatives targeting international hacking groups. Today’s artificial intelligence systems enable facial recognition of suspects alongside extensive social media data gathering and analysis-detecting both overt and covert connections between cybercriminals vastly outperforming human analysts’ capacity.
the Iranian National Information Network alongside “Shekar” (meaning “Masterpiece” in Persian), developed over more than a decade represent some core anti-cybercrime projects. Nevertheless malicious software remains a primary vector for digital attacks on organizations across Iran and much of the Middle East region today.
Iranian political analyst Rouhollah Modabber told TV BRICS that following its incorporation into BRICS iran should elevate cybersecurity collaboration among its national priorities so it can bolster its digital sovereignty with support from fellow members’ partnerships.
South Africa: A successful Digital Security Model
South Africa’s adoption of digital technologies has profoundly transformed society along with economic structures requiring precise legal frameworks governing personal data protection & combating cybercrime measures being key components implemented nationwide since then.
Economic researcher Mikhail Khachaturov explained during discussion with TV BRICS how South Africa utilizes advanced technology combined with international collaboration aiming at securing computer systems from attacks while counteracting emerging threats efficiently.
The nation leverages SIEM tools integrated with XDR & NTA solutions; runs vulnerability detection programs; conducts training sessions aimed at state & private sector employees alike.
Within south-south partnerships under Brics scope south Africa engages actively in cybersecurity diplomacy efforts augmented through joint exercises.
Ndivho Tshikohi-the Durban University Technology researcher-noted that establishing centers for incident response plus military-grade cybersecurity command units along with government communication security enterprises signal critical steps taken by South Africa toward realizing robust digital governance principles today.
BRICS Endorses UN Convention Against Cybercrime
DURING THE SEVENTEENTH SUMMIT OF THE GROUP , LEADERS OF THE NATIONS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON CYBERCRIME -THE FIRST GLOBAL TREATY ADDRESSING INFORMATION SECURITY MATTERS. THIS DOCUMENT , CRAFTED OVER FIVE YEARS , SEEKS TO COMBAT UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS , DATA FORGERY AND THEFT , MONEY LAUNDERING , CHILD EXPLOITATION AND PROVIDE VICTIMS WITH PROTECTION .
A DECLARATION FROM THE MEETING URGED ALL COUNTRIES TO PROMPTLY SIGN AND RATIFY THIS CONVENTION AND EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF ITS ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL COVERING OFFENSES RELATED TO TERRORISM , DRUG TRAFFICKING AND WEAPON SMUGGLING.
