On October 6, 2021, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco announced the launch of the Department of Justice’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative. The Department plans to use civil enforcement tools to “pursue…those who are government contractors who receive federal funds, when they fail to follow required cybersecurity standards.” Stating the Department will pursue “very hefty fines,” […]
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Key Takeaways from OFAC’s Updated Ransomware Advisory
On September 21, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued an “Updated Advisory on Potential Sanctions Risks for Facilitating Ransomware Payments.” While this advisory explicitly supersedes OFAC’s previous ransomware advisory from October 2020, it does not fundamentally alter OFAC’s approach towards ransom payments. Like the prior guidance, OFAC’s […]
U.S. and Allies Formally Accuse China of Microsoft Hack and Cyberespionage
On July 19, 2021, the Biden administration, along with a group of allies publicly accused the Chinese government of malicious cyber activities and irresponsible state behavior. The joint announcement states the U.S. uncovered a wide array of cyberattacks by hackers with a history of working for the China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS). Importantly, the […]