Cybersecurity

States Weigh Bans on Ransomware Payoffs

The idea is that this would deter attacks because cybercriminals would know they couldn’t get paid.

Cybersecurity

Agencies Unveil Plans to Fight Ransomware—Including Paying for Tips

The State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information about attackers targeting U.S. critical infrastructure.

Cybersecurity

Official Suggests Consequences Coming to Russia for Ransomware

A senior administration official said the U.S. has made specific requests through official channels regarding cyber criminals.

Cybersecurity

U.S., Russian Officials to Meet Following Kaseya Ransomware Attack

President Joe Biden also plans to meet with U.S. officials on measures to address ransomware.

Cybersecurity

Key Senator Wants Biden to Raise SolarWinds in International Negotiations

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner said espionage campaigns like the SolarWinds hack merit discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Cybersecurity

Colonial Pipeline CEO: Cybersecurity Mandates From TSA Might Help

Hackers breached the company after gaining access to a virtual private network not protected by multifactor authentication.

Cybersecurity

Cryptocurrency Crackdown Won’t Stop Ransomware, CISA Official Says

Cybersecurity professionals stress the importance of proactive defense to combat the growing number of attacks.

Cybersecurity

The Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Hackers Had a Secret Weapon: Self-Promoting Cybersecurity Firms

Five months before DarkSide attacked the Colonial pipeline, two researchers discovered a way to rescue its ransomware victims. Then an antivirus company’s announcement alerted the hackers.

Cybersecurity

Pipeline Security Act Reintroduced in House

More than a dozen lawmakers have cosponsored the legislation following the Colonial Pipeline attack.

Cybersecurity

Federal Agencies Say ‘No Evidence’ Hackers Affected Colonial’s Operational Technology 

A leading GOP lawmaker is pressuring CISA to release data on the agency’s pipeline cybersecurity initiative. 

Cybersecurity

Homeland Security Secretary Backs Call for Mandatory Disclosure of Ransomware Payments

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the department will work with a task force developed by the private sector on ways to tamp down the increase in ransomware attacks. 

Ideas

It's When Not If with Ransomware: How Agencies Can Prepare

Agencies must acknowledge this threat and take steps to prepare, defend and remediate.

Cybersecurity

CISA Will Use New Authority Over Internet Service Providers to Fight Ransomware, Official Says

Acting CISA Director Brandon Wales praised the government’s coordination absent a national cyber director.

Cybersecurity

Hackers Seized on the Pandemic. Some States Are Fighting Back.

Cyberattackers have forced states to take down websites, stolen $36 billion in unemployment payments and exposed millions of residents’ personal information to scammers.

Cybersecurity

Justice Notches Major Win with Global Botnet Takedown

Law enforcement also announced their disruption of the commoditized NetWalker ransomware.

Cybersecurity

CISA Needs More Resources to Avoid ‘Whack-a-Mole’ Operation, Lawmaker Says

The agency shelved routine work protecting federal networks to turn its attention to pressing pandemic and election issues.