Christopher Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and 2019 Wash100 Award winner, detailed ways of mitigating risks of ransomware attacks to members of the Senate’s cybersecurity caucus, Fifth Domain reported Wednesday.
Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said in a statement that the classified briefing was “a helpful conversation†that will enable lawmakers to better address the risks that come with the complex cybersecurity threat.
According to Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, private sector entities as well as state and local authorities should “take active measures†and work to establish a guidance for defending systems against ransomware attacks. King currently serves on the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, which is slated to submit recommendations on a national cyberspace strategy.
“The continued prevalence of ransomware should really capture our attention,†noted Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., in a joint statement. “It’s costly, devastatingly high-impact, growing and, in most cases, easily preventable with basic responsible cybersecurity practices.â€
