Security News > 2021 > June > White House urges US companies to take ransomware seriously
A new White House memo to business leaders underscores the threat of ransomware and offers advice on how to protect their companies.
Following recent cyberattacks against key operations in the U.S., the White House is pushing companies to take ransomware seriously and beef up their defenses against it.
These include disrupting ransomware attacks, working with international partners to hold countries that harbor ransomware attackers accountable, developing policies around ransom payments and trying to trace and block the transmission of virtual currency payments.
Underlining the responsibilities of the private sector, Neuberger said that companies need to take the crime of ransomware seriously and make sure that their defenses match the threat.
"It's good to see the White House underscore the urgency of the ransomware threat, even if escalation is long overdue," said Vectra President and CEO Hitesh Sheth.
Beyond following the White House's recommendations, there are other steps organizations should take to address the ransomware challenge.