The US government is looking at tracking cryptocurrency transactions as a way to counteract the rising number of ransomware attacks that demand cryptocurrency payments.
Deputy National Security Adviser Anne Neuberger revealed the White House’s creation of a ransomware task force during a virtual briefing with members of Congress on Wednesday. The task force’s purpose would be to thwart and trace hostile cyber operations involving virtual currency, as well as to prevent other countries from hosting dangerous actors.
Early in June, when Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that “combating ransomware is a priority for the administration,” the US government first defined plans to track cryptocurrency transactions.
Neuberger also emphasised the lack of a private-sector cybersecurity norm, stating that Congress would be required to create one.
However, some members of Congress who attended the briefing stated that the topic of forming a ransomware task force was not raised.
Remember how the REvil ransomware group sought a stunning $70 million in Bitcoin ransom after crippling many businesses in a supply-chain attack on software provider Kaseya