Two high-ranking senators yesterday planned to pass legislation that could fight malicious cyber attacks on US infrastructure, aimed at paying ransom.
At the heart of the bill is the imposition of sanctions against countries that sponsor cybercriminals, as well as the strengthening of electronic protection against attacks of this type.
Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican vice-chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Democratic Sen. Diane Feinstein, a senior member of the intelligence and justice committees, scheduled the introduction of the R .
According to a copy of the bill, which was read by Reuters, its text calls for the introduction of cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure in the US, the strengthening of the institutional framework for cryptocurrencies – in which ransom payments are often made – as well as instructions. to the State Department and the intelligence community to designate as a “state malware sponsor” any country that provides support for malicious cyber-attacks aimed at ransom.
The threat of cyber attacks US motorists were hit by a malicious cyber attack on Colonial Pipeline Co. in May, causing a major fuel shortage at major refueling stations.
The Justice Department later managed to help the company recover part of the $ 2,3 million ransom cryptocurrency it owed by paying the hackers.
About $ 350 million was paid as ransom to cybercriminals in 2020, up more than 300% from the previous year, according to the same ministry.
President Joe Biden warned last month that the United States could find itself in a “real war” with a major superpower as a result of a major cyber-attack on critical US infrastructure, stressing that Washington sees the escalating threat from Russia as escalating. , China, Iran and North Korea.
Source: RES
