May 12, 2024 at 04:11PM
Last year saw a record high in ransomware attacks, affecting over 4,500 victims. Drew Schmitt, a professional negotiator for ransomware incidents, discussed evolving tactics of criminal gangs and the debate over banning ransom payments. Schmitt emphasized the complexity of the issue and the need for a multi-pronged approach to combating ransomware. Law enforcement is also increasing efforts to combat ransomware gangs.
From the meeting notes, we can gather that ransomware attacks hit a peak in 2023, with over 60 criminal gangs and at least 4,500 victims involved. Drew Schmitt, a professional ransomware negotiator, discussed the evolving tactics of ransomware gangs and the ongoing debate about banning ransom payments. It is important to note that Schmitt’s role involves advising on risk and having conversations with threat actors focused on recovery, rather than just negotiating payments. He emphasized the complexity of the issue and advocated for a multi-pronged approach to eliminate ransomware, including incentivizing improved cybersecurity. Law enforcement efforts to combat ransomware are also mentioned, with varying degrees of success and uncertainty about the long-term impact of these disruptions.