The UK government is stepping up the fight against ransomware with the new consultation that could ban public sector bodies and critical infrastructure from paying ransoms. The goal is to disrupt the financial pipelines that fuel cybercriminal operations, making the UKs infrastructure less appealing to hackers.
Cohesity welcomes the UK Government’s decision to create more stringent ransomware policies. This move is crucial to reducing the incentives for cybercriminals and protecting public sector organisations from ransomware attacks. While there is ongoing debate about the effectiveness of an outright ban, it is important to consider the long-term implications of paying ransoms. Paying a ransom may seem like a quick fix solution, but it often leads to repeated attacks and legal liabilities, especially if the attackers are sanctioned entities.
We believe comprehensive data protection combined with threat detection and regular security training are essential in building resilience against such threats. Recovering without paying the ransom reduces the likelihood of future attacks and minimises legal risks. We commend the government’s proactive stance and encourage similar actions globally to combat ransomware.