Security News > 2021 > June > We're right behind Computer Misuse Act reforms for busting ransomware gangs, says UK infosec industry
British infosec businessees mostly support beefing up the Computer Misuse Act to directly tackle the ransomware crisis - while reform campaign CyberUp has written to Home Secretary Priti Patel offering "Support" for "a renewed, forward looking framework".
A number of firms that spoke to The Register expressed firm support for changes to the act that make it easier for law enforcement to pursue and convict ransomware extortionists.
Industry is broadly supportive of changes targeting ransomware crooks in particular - but also want to see more safeguards built into the CMA for legitimate tech security researchers.
Richard Hughes, head of technical cyber security at A&O IT Group, said: "I would fully support changes to the Computer Misuse Act to criminalise the payment of any ransom to cybercriminals as removing the financial incentive is the only way we are likely to see a reduction in ransomware attacks. Whilst this may seem harsh to some who have been affected by ransomware and took the decision to pay the ransom rather than risk the loss of their business, I am sure they would agree that prevention is without exception better than cure in this respect."
Joining him was Ed Williams, EMEA director of Trustwave's Spiderlabs research division, who said: "I would hope that the ransomware section is given some teeth and that it would give UK law enforcement the ability to detect, disrupt and deter ransomware actors."
In a letter co-signed by CyberUp leading light Ollie Whitehouse, NCC Group's CTO, and TechUK chief exec Julian David, the campaigners said: "TechUK and the CyberUp Campaign share the desire to see a legal framework in the UK that is best able to assist UK law enforcement in defending the UK from an ever-evolving array of cyber threats, and that supports a thriving and internationally competitive UK cyber security industry."