Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/14/uk_ransomware_payout_ban/
Source: The Register
Title: UK floats ransomware payout ban for public sector
Feedly Summary: Stronger proposals may also see private sector applying for a payment ‘license’
A total ban on ransomware payments across the public sector might actually happen after the UK government opened a consultation on how to combat the trend of criminals locking up whole systems and taxpayers footing the bill.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
**Summary:**
The UK government has opened a consultation that could lead to a total ban on ransomware payments across the public sector. This initiative aims to discourage criminal activities targeting public services by exploring proposals for a comprehensive payment ban, requiring government approval for private sector payments, and implementing mandatory reporting laws for ransomware incidents. The discussion comes amid rising ransomware threats and a growing consensus on the need for stronger preventative measures in cybersecurity.
**Detailed Description:**
The text discusses the UK’s initiatives to combat ransomware attacks, highlighting a significant consultation process that seeks to redefine how payments to ransomware criminals are managed across public sector and potentially private sector organizations. Here are the major points:
– **Consultation Timeline:**
– A 12-week consultation by the UK government, running from January 14 to April 8, intends to gather feedback on ransomware payment policies.
– **Proposed Measures:**
– **Total Ban on Ransom Payments:**
– A complete ban proposed for the public sector, including hospitals and schools, aimed at critical national infrastructure (CNI).
– This approach seeks to make targeting public services less attractive to criminals.
– **Ransomware Payment Prevention Regime:**
– Suggests that a private sector ban could occur, requiring businesses not under an existing ban to seek government approval to make any ransom payments.
– Introduces the notion of a ‘ransom payment license,’ issued based on the severity of incidents.
– **Mandatory Reporting Law:**
– A less stringent option requiring mandatory reporting of ransomware attacks to strengthen data collection for law enforcement.
– **Importance of Action Against Ransomware:**
– Security Minister Dan Jarvis emphasized the growing global ransomware crisis, with estimates suggesting $1 billion was directed to criminals in 2023.
– The focus is on disrupting financial flows to cybercriminals to protect the UK economy and national security.
– **International Comparisons:**
– Australia has implemented mandatory incident reporting with set revenue thresholds, potentially serving as a model for the UK’s future policies.
– **NCSC’s Role and Guidance:**
– The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) supports the consultation, advocating for improved cybersecurity practices and resilience measures among organizations of all sizes.
– **Debate on Effectiveness of Proposed Measures:**
– The text discusses opposing views on the effectiveness of a ransom payment ban, with some experts arguing it may lead victims to pursue illicit means or discourage law enforcement engagement.
– Critics point to historical evidence indicating that existing bans in certain US states had minimal impact on attack frequency.
– **Call for Cyber Resilience:**
– The NCSC and other experts concur that organizations must bolster defenses against ransomware, focusing on robust backup plans and operational resilience in the face of attacks.
– **Rising Threat Landscape:**
– The document highlights a concerning trend of increasing cyber threats and ransomware incidents reaching critical severity thresholds, emphasizing the pressing need for policy changes and effective countermeasures.
Through this consultation and potential policy changes, the UK government aims to address the growing ransomware threat, encouraging a proactive stance toward national cybersecurity.