U.S. government launches one-stop ransomware resource website
The U.S. government has announced new resources and initiatives to protect American businesses and communities from ransomware attacks.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), together with federal partners, have launched a new website to combat the threat of ransomware.
The website, StopRansomware.gov establishes a one-stop hub for ransomware resources for individuals, businesses, and other organizations. The new site is a collaborative effort across the federal government and the first joint website created to help private and public organizations mitigate their ransomware risk, DHS says.
Ransomware is a long-standing problem and a growing national security threat. Tackling this challenge requires collaboration across every level of government, the private sector, and communities. Roughly $350 million in ransom was paid to malicious cyber actors in 2020, a more than 300% increase from the previous year, DHS says.
There have already been multiple notable ransomware attacks in 2021 and despite making up roughly 75% of all ransomware cases, attacks on small businesses often go unnoticed.
“Along with our partners in and outside of government, and through our Ransomware and Digital Extortion Task Force, the Department is working to bring all our tools to bear against these threats. But we cannot do it alone. It is critical for business leaders across industries to recognize the threat, prioritize efforts to harden their systems, and work with law enforcement by reporting these attacks promptly,” says Attorney General Garland.
StopRansomware.gov is the first central hub consolidating ransomware resources from all federal government agencies. Prior to the launch, individuals and organizations had to visit a variety of websites to find guidance, latest alerts, updates, and resources, increasing the likelihood of missing important information. StopRansomware.gov reduces the fragmentation of resources, which is especially detrimental for those who have become victims of an attack, by integrating federal ransomware resources into a single platform that includes clear guidance on how to report attacks, and the latest ransomware-related alerts and threats from all participating agencies, according to DHS.