60+ Industry, Government, Law Enforcement, Civil Society, and International Organizations will provide clear recommendations on ransomware mitigation

Homeland Secretary Mayorkas To Deliver Keynote at April 29 Event

April 22, 2021, San Francisco & Washington, DC — The Institute for Security and Technology (IST) — in partnership with a broad coalition of experts in industry, government, law enforcement, civil society, and international organizations who have joined IST’s Ransomware Task Force (RTF) — will deliver a comprehensive framework to combat ransomware on Thursday, April 29.

At 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, IST will host an online event with a powerhouse lineup of the experts that led the RTF process, featuring:

• Keynote Speaker: Honorable Alejandro N. Mayorkas, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
  
• A variety of engagements with the RTF Co-Chairs to delve into the challenges posed by the ransomware threat and the comprehensive framework:
  
  • Retired U.S. Army Major General John A. Davis, Vice President of Public Sector, Palo Alto Networks
  • Megan Stifel, Executive Director, Americas,  Global Cyber Alliance
  • Michael Phillips,  Chief Claims Officer, Resilience Insurance
  • Kemba Walden, Assistant General Counsel, Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit
  • Chris Painter, President, Global Forum on Cyber Expertise Foundation
  • Jen Ellis, Vice President of Community and Public Affairs, Rapid7
  • Michael Daniel, President & CEO, Cyber Threat Alliance
  • Philip Reiner, CEO, Institute for Security and Technology

Ransomware is one of society’s most pervasive cybersecurity threats and poses a critical risk to national security and global public health. The RTF, which includes leading experts from the public sector and private industry, understands that ransomware is too large of a threat for any one entity to address, and that the time for concerted, coordinated action is now.

The RTF’s framework assesses existing solutions at varying levels of the ransomware kill chain, identifies gaps in solution applications, and creates a framework of concrete objectives and actionable milestones for high-level decision-makers. 

This destructive cybercrime, which results in staggering financial losses and puts human life at risk, will need commitment from every level of government and private industry to address. The RTF’s framework assesses existing solutions at varying levels of the ransomware kill chain, identifies gaps in solution applications, and recommends concrete objectives and actionable milestones for high-level decision-makers.

The RTF will provide clear recommendations for public and private action that will significantly reduce the threat posed by the ransomware criminal enterprise.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

For all media inquiries and further information on the IST or RTF, contact [email protected]

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The Institute for Security and Technology designs and advances solutions to the world’s toughest emerging security threats. We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit network based in the San Francisco Bay Area dedicated to advancing solutions to critical national security challenges. For more information, visit securityandtechnology.org.