On Wednesday – just Wednesday – news stories emerged about an airplane maker, information technology giant and computer game company all having operations disrupted by ransomware. In the last year, such attacks have swept through every sector, affected schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, transportation and governments.
Many argue that policymakers need to do something about the problem. But few solutions have been formally put onto the table. One explanation is that historically, ransomware was not seen as government’s problem any more than shoplifting: a crime against businesses that federal law enforcement saw as beyond its domain.
But that’s changing.
“What we’ve seen in the last several years is an erosion of that divide,” said John Dermody, an attorney with O’Melveny who previously served as deputy legal counsel to the National Security Council and in the general counsel’s office at the Department of Homeland Security. The result is more serious consideration of policies that could disrupt attackers or influence response among businesses or both.
“It is a very difficult issue to address because it’s not something the government would typically be involved in,” Dermody added. “But there is a recognition this is a serious problem, and the status ..
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