Biden declares ransomware attacks a national security threat

U.S. President Joe Biden has announced a new strategy to combat the growing number of ransomware attacks affecting businesses and government agencies while calling it a national security threat.

The National Cybersecurity Strategy will entail collaboration between federal agencies and private companies to detect and respond to ransomware attacks. The plan aims to deter cybercriminals from demanding ransom payments, encourage victims to report attacks, and bring criminals to justice. It even went so far as to declare it a national security threat, allowing the military and intelligence community to use some of their most powerful cyber tools against ransomware gangs.

The strategy also declares ransomware a “threat to national security, public safety, and economic prosperity,” paving the way for more intelligence community resources to be dedicated to combating the problem. It goes on to say that as an incentive for companies to improve their cybersecurity, cybersecurity requirements will continue to be baked into federal grant programs and the procurement process.

Furthermore, the administration intends to examine gaps in current cybersecurity regulations for critical infrastructure sectors in order to determine what new rules and regulatory powers are required. while The Pentagon will also create its own strategy outlining how U.S. Cyber Command and other offices will “integrate cyberspace operations” into existing missions.

In addition, the government will step up efforts to disrupt the infrastructure that enables ransomware attacks, as well as improve international cooperation to hold cybercriminals accountable. The strategy also calls for the development of a cybersecurity workforce capable of responding to emerging threats and improving the resilience of critical infrastructure.

The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) developed the strategy, which has five pillars: defend critical infrastructure, disrupt and dismantle threat actors, shape market forces to drive security and resilience, invest in a resilient future, and forge international partnerships.

The sources for this piece include an article in Axios.