The white house Washington will host officials from 37 countries and 13 global companies this week to address the growing threat of ransomware and other cybercrime, including the illegal use of cryptocurrencies, a senior US official said.
The in-person meeting follows last year’s virtual inaugural meeting of the informal Counter-Ransomware Initiative, adding seven more countries and bringing together a diverse group of private sector players for the first time.
The White House hopes the meeting will allow participating countries to “establish a set of globally recognized cyber standards to combat criminal ransomware threats and hold malicious actors accountable,” the official said.
Participants plan to issue a joint statement at the end of Tuesday’s meeting, including a pledge to redouble efforts to pressure Russia and other countries that harbor ransomware attackers, the official said.
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A key topic for discussion is how to prevent such attacks, prevent illegal movement of cryptocurrencies and build resilience against such attacks, the official said.
“Less about Russia, more about how we as a set of countries make it harder, more expensive, riskier. the ransom Actors to operate,” the official said.
Ransomware attacks have increased sharply in recent years, with more than 4,000 attacks reported outside the United States in the past 18 months alone, the official said, adding that progress has also been made in catching the attackers.
Ransom software works by encrypting victims’ data, with hackers offering the key to the victim in exchange for a cryptocurrency payment that can run into millions of dollars.
Top administration officials, including FBI Director Chris Wray, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally AdeyemoWhite House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will address the meeting.
Participating countries other than the United States: Australia, Austria, Belgium Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Estonia, European Commission, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya. , Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway Poland, South Korea, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and UK.
Russia, Belarus and other countries will not participate in raids on ports.
Participating companies include CrowdStrike, Mandiant, Cyber Threat Alliance, MicrosoftThe Cybersecurity Alliance, Palo Alto, Flexon, SAP, Security + Technology Institute, Siemens, Internet 2.0, Tata – TCS, and Telefonica, the White House said.
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