Microsoft and McAfee form Ransomware Task Force (RTF)

ZDNet reports that Microsoft and McAfee leading a new anti-ransomware coalition (Ransomware Task Force) that includes nineteen IT and cybersecurity companies and non-profit organizations.

Called the Ransomware Task Force (RTF), the group will focus on assessing existing technical solutions to defend against ransomware attacks.

RTF will order expert articles on the topic, engage stakeholders from different industries, identify gaps in current solutions, and then develop a common roadmap for all team members to address these challenges.told the journalists ZDNet.

The final result of RTF’s efforts should be a standardized framework for dealing with ransomware attacks based on general industry consensus rather than individual advice from individual contractors.

Currently the Ransomware Task Force includes:

Aspen Digital
Citrix
The Cyber Threat Alliance
Cybereason
The CyberPeace Institute
The Cybersecurity Coalition
The Global Cyber Alliance
The Institute for Security and Technology
McAfee
Microsoft
Rapid7
Resilience
SecurityScorecard
Shadowserver Foundation
Stratigos Security
Team Cymru
Third Way
UT Austin Stauss Center
Venable LLP

Currently ransomware is not the most common form of malware, nor is it the type of cyberattack that causes the biggest financial loss to companies every year. According to the FBI, this type of cybercrimes relates to BEC scams.

However, ransomware is still a serious threat, and this threat is constantly growing, as well as growing sums of ransom every month.

These crimes are not limited to targeting certain groups, companies and sectors, and require all stakeholders to come to the negotiating table to synthesize a clear framework for actionable solutions, which is why IST and our coalition of partners are launching this Task Force in a two-to-three month sprint.Institute for Security and Technology said on Monday.

The Ransomware Task Force website, including full details of members and leadership positions, will be launched next month, around mid-January 2021, followed by the promised two to three month sprint itself to launch the task force.

Let me remind you that some ransomware operators are now calling and threatening their victims.

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