DHS, FBI Face Ransomware Questions from Congress

During a hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas were questioned about the surge in ransomware attacks, diplomatic efforts to curb ransomware’s financial model, and the nation-states that harbor cybercriminals.

Mayorkas spoke about the July launch of StopRansomware.gov and CISA’s new Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative “to bring together partners from every level of government and the private sector to reduce cyber risks, to better protect our critical infrastructure.”

Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI) inquired about reports that the FBI withheld decryption software when Kaseya was hit by ransomware in July, to which Wray answered that the producing such software “is actually a lot more complicated than a lot of people realize”.

Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) asked what cooperation the government has received from Russia in disrupting the ransomware gangs within its borders. Wray said it was “too soon to tell whether any of the things that are underway are having an impact.”

Source:

• Gov Info Security: US DHS, FBI Face Ransomware Questions from Congress