What can the United States actually do about ransomware attacks?

The United States can take several actions to combat the rise in ransomware attacks:

1. Strengthen Cybersecurity Protections: Enhancing cybersecurity measures across critical infrastructure sectors and encouraging the adoption of best practices can help prevent ransomware attacks.

2. Improve Information Sharing: Facilitating information sharing between government agencies, private sector entities, and international partners can enhance threat intelligence and enable a more coordinated response to ransomware threats.

3. Enforce Cybercrime Laws: Implementing and enforcing laws that target cybercriminals and hold them accountable for their actions can act as a deterrent against ransomware attacks.

4. Increase International Cooperation: Collaborating with other countries to address the global nature of ransomware attacks and pursue cybercriminals across borders can help disrupt their operations.

5. Educate the Public: Raising awareness about ransomware threats and providing guidance on cybersecurity best practices can help individuals and organizations better protect themselves against such attacks.

6. Support Law Enforcement Efforts: Providing resources and support to law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute ransomware attacks can help deter cybercriminals and disrupt ransomware operations.

7. Enhance Incident Response Capabilities: Investing in cyber incident response capabilities and conducting regular exercises and simulations to test response plans can improve the readiness to mitigate and recover from ransomware attacks.

Implementing a multi-faceted approach that combines these strategies can contribute to combating the rise in ransomware attacks.