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.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.
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.
