Archive

Ransomware

May 20, 2022 12:00 am

Combating Ransomware: A Year of Action

Over the last year, ransomware attacks continued to plague institutions of all sizes—but thanks in part to the timely and comprehensive recommendations of the Ransomware Task Force, governments were more engaged and organizations are more focused on equipping themselves with the tools and policies needed to counter this threat. As the RTF completed its first year of impact, we hosted for a day of reflections, predictions, and connections on how we can continue to combat ransomware in 2022 and beyond.

cryptocurrency, deter, disruption, prepare, Ransomware, respond

May 20, 2022

Progress Report

The Ransomware Task Force: One Year On

In the year since the publication of the RTF report, the Ransomware Task Force reflects on progrsss, noting a great deal of action to combat ransomware and a continued rise observed incidents. This summary briefly discusses some of the ransomware-related activity of the last year, its impact, the current threat level, and the RTF's recommendations for moving forward.

cyber attacks, deter, disrupt, Future of Digital Security, prepare, Ransomware, respond, RTF

May 8, 2022

IST Joins Cyber Civil Defense Initiative

IST is grateful and excited to announce its participation in the Cyber Civil Defense Initiative, a multi-organization effort spearheaded by Craig Newmark to promote effective cybersecurity practices across the whole of society.

announcements, Craig Newmark, Cyber Civil Defense, Future of Digital Security, Ransomware

May 2, 2022

December 15, 2021 3:00 pm

Intervention or Cooperation? The Roles for Military and Law Enforcement in Combating Ransomware

What are the rules of engagement for law enforcement and the military in preparing for and responding to threat actors operating overseas, often in jurisdictions that lack the political will to effectively address ransomware actors? On December 15, 2021, IST's Megan Stifel moderated a conversation with Lauren Zabierek, Gavin Wilde, Gary Corn, and Dmitri Alperovitch on law enforcement and the military’s role in combating national-scale cyber threats.

cyber threats, law enforcement, military authorities, Ransomware, USCYBERCOM

December 15, 2021

Reading List: The Roles for Military and Law Enforcement in Combating Ransomware

As the ransomware threat spreads worldwide, there remains debate around how to best leverage all the government’s tools. The military has more capacity and resources, especially to launch offensive operations, while law enforcement has more tools for prosecution and international coordination. Leveraging the two is critical to successfully counter the spread of ransomware.

cyber, CYBERCOM, law enforcement, Ransomware, SolarWinds

December 14, 2021

October 20, 2021 3:00 pm

Prioritizing Hospital Cybersecurity

Ransomware attacks on hospitals spiked during the pandemic, causing massive disruption to healthcare organizations at a time when they were strained by unprecedented patient demands. Cyberattacks threaten to compromise patient care and private data, yet cybersecurity remains under-prioritized by many hospitals and clinics. In October 2021, IST hosted a panel discussion to assess why healthcare organizations are such vulnerable targets, and to explore how they can increase their cyber-readiness.

cybersecurity, health care, hospital cybersecurity, Ransomware

October 20, 2021

Ransomware Goes Prime Time on HBO

In August 2021, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver aired a 22-minute segment on recent ransomware attacks. The segment highlight critical strategies and practices to prevent attacks, with John even drawing from the comprehensive framework of recommendations that the Institute for Security and Technology published in April this year, in partnership with a coalition of experts across industry, government, law enforcement, civil society and international organizations.

Future of Digital Security, Ransomware, RTF

September 3, 2021

August 25, 2021 11:31 am

To Pay A Ransom: Costs and Ethics of Paying Ransomware Demands

What are the costs and ethics of paying ransom demands to cybercriminals? Payments perpetuate ransomware, but could a payment ban truly be feasible? On August 25, 2021, IST hosted experts for a virtual discussion.

debate, ransom payments, Ransomware, Ransomware-as-a-Service

August 25, 2021

Testimony: Stopping Digital Thieves: The Growing Threat of Ransomware

On July 20, 2021, Institute for Security and Technology CEO Philip Reiner testified in front of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce for a hearing entitled, "Stopping Digital Thieves: The Growing Threat of Ransomware."

congress, Ransomware, Ransomware Task Force, testimony

July 20, 2021

May 25, 2021 12:00 am

StratTech: IST’s Inaugural Conference

StratTech, IST’s inaugural conference, examined novel, radical, and strategic approaches to the wicked problems facing the diagonals through which security and technology intersect. IST is committed to being a convener, bringing together government, industry, and civil society leaders and practitioners to better understand and advance solutions to the world’s toughest security challenges.

BGP, operational collaboration, Ransomware, Valley of Death

May 25, 2021

In the News, Op-ed

5 Urgent Actions in the Fightback Against Ransomware

In an article for the World Economic Forum, Philip Reiner calls for global leaders to step up in the fight against ransomware, arguing that, taken together, they "would result in immediate and longer-term benefits, and show cybercriminals that ransomware is no longer an easy and safe strategy for financial gain."

collaboration, cybercrime, cybersecurity, law enforcement, Ransomware, World Economic Forum

May 12, 2021

April 29, 2021 1:00 pm

Ransomware Task Force (RTF) Unveils Comprehensive Framework To Combat Ransomware

Ransomware is one of society’s most pervasive threats and poses a critical risk to both national and global security. 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 mitigate this evolving threat. On April 29, 2021, 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) — delivered a comprehensive framework to combat...

deter, disrupt, national security, prepare, Ransomware, respond

April 29, 2021

Ransomware Task Force of 60+ Members From Industry, Government, Law Enforcement, Civil Society, and International Organizations Publishes Comprehensive Framework to Combat Ransomware

A coalition of public and private organizations — led by Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, Rapid7, Resilience, CTA, GCA, GFCE, and IST -- makes public recommendations for global national security policy makers and industry leaders to tackle ransomware.

announcements, Future of Digital Security, Ransomware, RTF

April 29, 2021

Ransomware Task Force to Unveil Comprehensive Framework to Combat Ransomware

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.

announcements, Future of Digital Security, Ransomware, RTF

April 22, 2021

Combating Ransomware: A Comprehensive Framework for Action

The Ransomware Task Force convened over 60 experts from industry, government, law enforcement, civil society, and international organizations to produce a comprehensive framework for action, with 48 actionable recommendations.

cyber, cybersecurity, defend, deter, protect, Ransomware, respond

April 21, 2021

March 25, 2021 2:00 pm

Ransoms Without Borders: Attribution and Accountability With International Ransomware Threat Actors and Safe Havens

A ransomware attack may involve threat actors across the globe. How can we address this cross-border crime? On March 25, 2021, IST hosted a panel discussion and virtual Q&A with Jaya Baloo, Philip Amann, Josephine Wolff, and Christopher Painter.

cross-border, Ransomware, safe havens

March 25, 2021