Spooks often like to frame others for their work.

Cybersecurity executives have compared the safe havens that some governments provide cybercriminals today with 17th century piracy.

It's the latest example of data-wiping tools being aimed at key organizations in the region.

Informally known as the "Cyber Peace Institute," the organization plans to act as a neutral arbiter that calls out bad behavior on the internet.

In recent years the group has compromised organizations in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.

“They’re not five years behind nation-states anymore, because the tools have become more ubiquitous,” Grant Schneider says.