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The Ransomware Task Force (RTF)

Combating the ransomware threat with a cross-sector approach

The Ransomware Task Force (RTF) is a multistakeholder effort with participation from across government, industry, and civil society.

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Blog

Building Cyber Resilience: International Counter Ransomware Initiative Endorses Blueprint for Ransomware Defense

As the world’s largest international cyber partnership, the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) brings together over 74 member states and organizations to build international resilience to the global problem of ransomware. Ahead of its fifth gathering, IST is pleased to announce the CRI’s has endorsed the Ransomware Task Force’s Blueprint for Ransomware Defense.
announcement, Blueprint for Ransomware Defense, counter ransomware initiative, Ransomware, RTF
October 21, 2025

Blog

What Cyber Policy Needs Next: Through the Looking Glass of the Ransomware Task Force – Megan Stifel at CyberNextDC

Megan Stifel delivered keynote remarks at CyberNextDC on October 8, 2025 to view cyber policy 'through the looking glass.' "I think the White House, and Director Cairncross in particular, have a unique opportunity in their forthcoming strategy to let the good flourish, push the bureaucracy to overcome the bad, and lead the country to tackle the ugly," she said.
critical infrastructure, cyber, international collaboration, national security, policy, Ransomware, Salt Typhoon, secure-by-design
October 8, 2025

In the News, Op-ed

Nick Leiserson and Michael Klein: Urgent Changes Needed to Update the E-Rate Program

For Broadband Breakfast, IST Senior VP for Policy Nicholas Leiserson and Senior Director for Preparedness and Response Michael Klein make the case for expanding the FCC’s E-Rate program to bolster the cybersecurity resilience of K-12 schools.
cybersecurity, E-Rate, K-12 Education, Ransomware, Universal Service Fund
October 1, 2025

Announcement

Including Cybersecurity in the E-Rate and Rural Healthcare Programs: IST Submits Comments to Congress on Potential Reforms to the Universal Service Fund

In comments to the Congressional Universal Service Fund Working Group, Nicholas Leiserson and Michael Klein urge Congress to include cybersecurity as a fundable activity for the E-Rate and Rural Healthcare programs as part of any Universal Service Fund reform effort.
congress, cyber, cybersecurity, E-Rate, education, k-12, RFI, schools, Universal Service Fund
September 16, 2025

In the News, Op-ed

Reauthorization of CISA ’15: 10 Years Later, New Threats, Exigent Urgency

In an op-ed for Claroty Nexus, IST Chief Strategy Officer Megan Stifel calls on Congress to reauthorize the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA ’15), which improves and incentivizes the sharing of cyber threat indicators and information about defensive measures taken against cyber threats between public and private sectors.
CISA 15, congress, cybersecurity, information sharing, public-private collaboration
September 15, 2025

Blog

Law Enforcement Strikes BlackSuit (Royal) Ransomware, Seizing Funds and Infrastructure

This summer, U.S. and international law enforcement agencies carried out a coordinated operation against the BlackSuit (formerly Royal) ransomware group, confiscating over $1M in illicit cryptocurrency. IST Senior Associate for the Future of Digital Security Gigi Flores Bustamante unpacks the takedown.
cybercrime, cybersecurity, Ransomware, Ransomware Task Force
August 28, 2025

In the News

Michael Klein joins press conference announcing $3.7 million grant for Kentucky school cybersecurity

IST Senior Director for Preparedness and Response Michael Klein joined a Jefferson County Public Schools press conference in Louisville, Kentucky to announce a $3.7 million award from the Federal Communications Commission to bolster the district’s cybersecurity defenses. 
cyber, cybersecurity, E-Rate, education, FCC, k-12, Universal Service Fund, USF
August 20, 2025

Blog

Critical Infrastructure, the CVE Program, K-12 Cyber, and Cyber Civil Defense: IST and Partners at Hacker Summer Camp

It’s that time of year again: IST is headed to Las Vegas for DEF CON, BSides Las Vegas, and Black Hat! We join our colleagues in the desert each year to share our research, learn from technical experts, and connect with our growing network of stakeholders and partners from across the cyber ecosystem. Here's where you can find us in Las Vegas this August.
Black Hat, BSides, conference, critical infrastructure, CVE, Cyber Civil Defense, DEF CON, Hacker Summer Camp
July 28, 2025

Memo, Primer

Cybersecurity Considerations for Universal Service Fund Reform

As the speed, scope, and impact of cyber threats to K-12 schools continues to increase, Congress has expressed a clear desire to reinvigorate the Universal Service Fund (USF) through legislation. IST SVP for Policy Nicholas Leiserson explores how USF funding, through the FCC's E-Rate Program, could bolster cybersecurity resources for K-12 schools.
congress, cyber, cybersecurity, E-Rate, education, k-12, schools, Universal Service Fund, USF
July 25, 2025

Announcement

Institute for Security and Technology Announces Renewed Support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies to Advance the Future of Digital Security

The Institute for Security and Technology (IST) is excited to announce renewed support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies for our efforts to carry out a multi-pronged approach to protect, empower, and improve overall digital security preparedness and resilience, especially that of state and local governments and small- and medium-sized businesses.
counter ransomware initiative, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, Future of Digital Security, prepare, Ransomware, respond, SLTT
July 23, 2025

AAR, Report

Exercise VEIL STORM I: After Action Report

In partnership with Europol, the Institute for Security and Technology and the Ransomware Task Force’s International Engagement Working Group designed and delivered Exercise VEIL STORM I, a tabletop exercise focused on operational collaboration across international law enforcement agencies and private sector firms in responding to cyber incidents. This after-action report summarizes the proceedings and key takeaways of the exercise.
cyber insurance, cybersecurity, disruption, Europol, information sharing, operational collaboration, public-private collaboration, Public-private partnerships, Ransomware
July 23, 2025

Report

Plan directeur de défense contre les rançongiciels

En réponse à la mesure 3.1.1 du rapport du Groupe de travail sur la lutte contre les rançongiciels, qui recommande à la communauté de la cybersécurité d’« élaborer un cadre clair de mesures exécutables d’atténuation, d’intervention et de récupération relatives aux rançongiciels », le Groupe de travail sur le Plan directeur de défense contre les rançongiciels a intégré au présent document un sous-ensemble structuré de mesures de protection essentielles en matière de cyberhygiène3, puisées dans le site Web Contrôles de sécurité essentiels du contrôles du CIS® v8.
blueprint, cybersecurity, defend, protect, Ransomware, respond
July 14, 2025

Blog

Accessible and Secure: Exploring Options to Improve K-12 Cybersecurity through the Universal Service Fund

The Federal Communication Commission’s pilot program to bring cybersecurity resources to K-12 schools received over $3.7 billion in requests for assistance, more than fifteen times the program budget. Last week, IST Senior Director Michael Klein hosted a virtual event to check in on the pilot’s progress, and discuss options for updating the USF.
cybersecurity, E-Rate, FCC, k-12, Universal Service Fund, USF
July 14, 2025

Event

July 11, 2025 2:00 pm

On the Front Lines: Utilizing the Universal Service Fund to Support K-12 Cybersecurity

Cyber incidents affecting K-12 schools are routine, but resources are scarce for communities on the front lines of the cybercrime epidemic. On July 11, IST hosted practitioners & experts to discuss how the FCC’s Universal Service Fund can be used to improve K-12 cybersecurity.
cybersecurity, E-Rate, education, FCC, k-12, schools, telecom, Universal Service Fund
July 11, 2025

Blog

60 Million Reasons to Rethink Vendor Management: IST hosts experts on PowerSchool data breach

When a single data breach can affect 60 million students and 10 million teachers, what can states and districts do to protect their communities? IST Senior Director Michael Klein hosted a virtual event unpacking how state and local leaders and policymakers are rethinking their approaches to third-party vendor risk in the wake of the PowerSchool cyber incident.
cybersecurity, k-12, PowerSchool, Ransomware, third party risk, vendor management, vendor risk
July 8, 2025
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