Cybersecurity

Ransomware payment debate resurfaces amid Change Healthcare incident

Expert views don’t entirely align on whether victims should pay ransomware hackers.

Cybersecurity

Government facilities were third largest ransomware target in 2023, FBI says

The FBI’s IC3 findings also show government official impersonation scams are on the rise.

Cybersecurity

US, international partners disrupt LockBit ransomware operations

Officials have also developed a tool for victims targeted by LockBit to potentially decrypt their compromised data.

Cybersecurity

US must ratchet up its response in pursuing hackers, MITRE CTO argues

The technical and innovation strategy leader sat down with Nextgov/FCW to discuss recent events in cyberspace and the government’s response to bad actors.

Cybersecurity

CISA, FBI warn of social engineering-based ransomware

Federal agencies are revealing more information on the Scattered Spider cybercriminal group in a bid to both prevent breaches and encourage victims to offer more detail on such attacks.

Cybersecurity

How the US aims to tackle the ‘collective action problem’ of ransomware

New efforts in the International Counter Ransomware Initiative intend to leverage automated systems to halt illicit financial transactions, according to a White House cyber official.

Cybersecurity

Ransomware group's evolving tactics pose growing threat

A joint advisory from the FBI and the nation’s cyber defense agency warns that a persistent threat actor is advancing its tactics and targeting critical infrastructure sectors.

Cybersecurity

Cyber Agencies Unveil Updated Ransomware Guide

The 2023 version offers more detailed, step-by-step guidance and associated recommendations to fortify public and private networks against sophisticated ransomware.

Artificial Intelligence

Biden Admin to Debut New Emerging Tech Policies at Summit for Democracy

The virtual conference will spotlight how to marry emerging technologies with democratic values, and the U.S. will spearhead new initiatives domestically and abroad.

Cybersecurity

CISA Launches Ransomware Warning Pilot for Critical Infrastructure

The new pilot program will enable “timely risk reduction” by alerting critical infrastructure owners and operators of vulnerabilities within their systems that are susceptible to ransomware attacks.

Cybersecurity

Ransomware Payments Decreased in 2022 as Criminals Used Other Extortion Tactics

A report from Recorded Future found that, even as ransomware continues to pose a global challenge for individuals and organizations, threat actors are increasingly using other methods to steal sensitive data and demand payments from victims.

Emerging Tech

A CISA Test Hack Offers Warnings for Critical Infrastructure Organizations

A CISA red team simulated a malicious cyberattack on a critical infrastructure organization to test security measures and give recommendations to other entities.

Cybersecurity

Report Reveals How US Has 'Not Advanced the Ball' on Top Cyber Risks

The top cybersecurity risks of 2023 include a shortage of trained cyber professionals, international strife and continued vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure services, according to a new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Cybersecurity

CISA, South Korean Agencies Issue Joint Warning on North Korean Ransomware

The new cybersecurity advisory spotlights North Korean-backed actors targeting healthcare networks with ransomware.

Cybersecurity

US and UK Join Forces to Sanction Russian Hackers

Members of cybercrime group Trickbot, which favors deploying ransomware on critical infrastructure, were handed sanctions in the first-of-its-kind collaboration between U.S. and U.K. agencies.

Cybersecurity

Russian Hacker Pleads Guilty to Crypto Money Laundering

Denis Mihaqlovic Dubnikov used cryptocurrencies to attempt to hide his involvement in ransomware attacks on foreign and domestic companies.

Digital Government

Justice 'Hacked the Hackers' of Hive Ransomware, Stopping $130M in Demands

It took national and international cooperation to thwart the group, who targeted more than 1,500 victims.

Cybersecurity

Agencies Push Deadline to Comment on Would-Be Federal Cyber Insurance Program

Insurance companies are pushing for taxpayer assistance to provide coverage in the event of catastrophic incidents.

Cybersecurity

Russia Linked to Nearly 75% of Late 2021 Ransomware Attacks, Per Analysis

The analyzed ransomware variants—from July to December 2021—amounted to millions of dollars in damages.