Security News > 2021 > July > Biden asks Putin to crack down on Russian-based ransomware gangs
President Biden asked Russian President Putin during a phone call today to disrupt ransomware groups operating within Russia's borders behind the ongoing wave of attacks impacting the United States and other countries worldwide.
"President Biden underscored the need for Russia to take action to disrupt ransomware groups operating in Russia and emphasized that he is committed to continued engagement on the broader threat posed by ransomware," a White House statement reads.
The phone call between the two heads of state comes after a large-scale REvil ransomware attack that hit dozens of Kaseya customers and up to 1,500 other downstream businesses.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki added during a Tuesday briefing on Biden administration's policy agenda that the US will take action against ransomware groups operating within Russia if "The Russian government cannot or will not."
In early June, the White House chief cybersecurity adviser also warned US businesses to take ransomware seriously, following the Colonial Pipeline and JBS ransomware attacks.
G7 leaders have also asked Russia to urgently disrupt Russian-based ransomware gangs after the seemingly endless stream of attacks targeting organizations from critical sectors worldwide, including US government agencies.