Security News > 2021 > December > Canadian Ransomware Arrest Is a Meaningful Flex, Experts Say
Investigations that ran in parallel over nearly two years by Canadian and U.S. law enforcement have led to this week's arrest of an Ottawa man, who is alleged to have an extensive track record of ransomware attacks on companies, governments and individuals.
The highly-publicized arrest is a message to North American ransomware operators - law enforcement is on the case.
"With so many cybercriminals not facing any consequences, any arrest is a big deal, especially when it is someone operating in North America," Bambenek told Threatpost.
While Canada hasn't historically been tough on cybercrime, Malwarebytes' Jerome Segura pointed to the January arrest of a Canadian man living in Florida who the Department of Justice said was behind the Netwalker ransomware attacks; and penalties assessed by the country's regulatory authority over malicious advertising, or malvertising practices, as signals that the country is starting to crack down.
"Where the true significance lies is in the actions being taken - it seems like the U.S., Canada and international governments in general are taking the ransomware threat more seriously," Jaron Bradley, detections lead at Jamf, said in reaction to the news of the arrest.
FBI attaché Brian Abellera used the press conference announcing the Philbert arrest as an opportunity to warn other cybercriminals this arrest is just "One of many to come."