The letter sent to DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson Thursday asks how the adoption of Einstein threat prevention tool has reduced the incidence of ransomware at government agencies.
Johnson and Carper also asked Attorney General Loretta Lynch if the FBI collaborates with the Federal Trade Communication to raise public awareness on ransomware and whether the Justice Department uses signature-based tools to detect the malware.
“While much attention is paid to what must be done to bolster the cyber defenses at federal agencies and large businesses, all of us [are] vulnerable to online scams and emerging dangers like the malicious computer virus known as ‘ransomware,'” said Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
âOnly by staying a step ahead of the threat can we ensure the security of our citizens,â added Carper, the committeeâs ranking member.
The lawmakers also inquired about the number of ransomware variants the departments currently monitor, Lyngaas reports.