Treasury Department Issues Ransomware Advisories to Increase Awareness and Thwart Attacks

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today issued a pair of advisories to assist U.S. individuals and businesses in efforts to combat ransomware scams and attacks, which continue to increase in size and scope. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) advisory, entitled Advisory on Ransomware and the Use of the Financial System to Facilitate Ransom Payments, provides information on the role of financial intermediaries in payments, ransomware trends, and typologies, and related financial red flags. It also provides information on effectively reporting and sharing information related to ransomware attacks. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) advisory, entitled Advisory on Potential Sanctions Risks for Facilitating Ransomware Payments, highlights the sanctions risks associated with facilitating ransomware payments on behalf of victims targeted by malicious cyber-enabled activities.

Read the news release here.

Read the FinCEN advisory here.

Read the OFAC advisory here.