Joint Task Force Focuses on Collaboration to Better Address Ransomware

The Joint Ransomware Task Force is continuing its work to address ransomware by increasing its collaboration with various government agencies and the private sector.

In a recent interview, Eric Goldstein, CISA’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity, said that the collaboration is centered on gathering various kinds of information, including how malicious actors target U.S. critical infrastructure and businesses. He added that such information will assist in notifying possible targets before an incident happens.

Co-led by the CISA and the FBI, the task force is tasked with streamlining government-led initiatives to combat cyberattacks by coordinating every effort with state and local agencies and the private sector, The Record reported.

The task force has been involved in various counterattack activities throughout its two years of existence, including being a member of the Cyber Safety Review Board, the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative and the Ransomware Vulnerability Warning Pilot Program.

The RVWPP is a pilot program that aims to tackle ransomware attacks by allowing organizations to receive early warnings related to system vulnerabilities that could be potential ransomware targets.