Ethical Hacking News
The UK has announced plans to ban public sector and critical infrastructure organizations from paying ransoms after ransomware attacks, a move aimed at disrupting the lucrative business model of cybercriminals and protecting vital services such as healthcare and education.
The UK government plans to ban public sector and critical infrastructure organizations from paying ransoms after ransomware attacks. The proposed ban aims to disrupt the business model of cybercriminals and protect vital services such as healthcare and education. A mandatory reporting system will be introduced to track down attackers and support victims. Businesses not covered by the ban will be required to notify the government if they intend to make a ransom payment.
The United Kingdom has taken a significant step forward in its efforts to combat the growing threat of ransomware attacks. In a move that aims to disrupt the lucrative business model of cybercriminals, the government has announced plans to ban public sector and critical infrastructure organizations from paying ransoms after ransomware attacks.
According to Sergiu Gatlan's recent article on BleepingComputer, published on July 22, 2025, the UK government has proposed a targeted ban on ransomware payments for all public sector bodies and critical national infrastructure. This move is part of a broader effort to address the severe operational, financial, and even life-threatening risks posed by ransomware attacks.
The statistics are stark: ransomware is estimated to cost the UK economy millions of pounds each year, with recent high-profile ransomware attacks highlighting the devastating impact on vital services such as healthcare and education. The National Health Service (NHS), which has been a frequent target of these attacks, has suffered significant disruptions, including the forced closure of online ordering systems at Marks & Spencer, a British retailer giant.
The proposed ban is aimed squarely at disrupting the business model that fuels cybercriminals' activities. By outlawing payments to ransomware gangs, the UK government hopes to make it more difficult for these groups to operate and profit from their attacks. This move is part of a broader strategy to protect the services that the public relies on.
To achieve this goal, the government plans to introduce a mandatory reporting system, which will provide law enforcement with essential information to track down attackers and support victims. Businesses not covered by the proposed ban will be required to notify the government if they intend to make a ransom payment, seeking guidance on whether such payments could violate laws regarding transfers to sanctioned cybercriminal groups.
The Russian origin of many ransomware gangs has also been cited as a concern, with some experts warning that outlawing payments may drive these operations further underground. However, this potential consequence is seen by many as a small price to pay for the significant risks posed by ransomware attacks.
As noted in Sergiu Gatlan's article, ransomware is considered the greatest cybercrime threat in the UK and is treated as a risk to the country's national security by both the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the National Crime Agency (NCA). The Co-op, Harrods, and other organizations have recently suffered devastating cyber incidents, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to address this growing threat.
The UK government's announcement marks a significant shift in its approach to combating ransomware. By taking bold action to disrupt the business model of cybercriminals, the government is sending a clear signal that it will no longer tolerate the disruption and damage caused by these attacks.
This move is likely to be welcomed by experts and organizations across the country, who have been calling for more effective measures to address the growing threat of ransomware. As one commentator noted in an online forum, "For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." In this case, outlawing payments to ransomware gangs may be a bold step forward, but it is likely to be seen as a necessary measure to protect the services that the public relies on.
In conclusion, the UK government's announcement marks a significant step forward in its efforts to combat the growing threat of ransomware. By taking bold action to disrupt the business model of cybercriminals, the government is sending a clear signal that it will no longer tolerate the disruption and damage caused by these attacks. This move is likely to be welcomed by experts and organizations across the country, who have been calling for more effective measures to address the growing threat of ransomware.
The UK has announced plans to ban public sector and critical infrastructure organizations from paying ransoms after ransomware attacks, a move aimed at disrupting the lucrative business model of cybercriminals and protecting vital services such as healthcare and education.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-UKs-Bold-Step-Against-Ransomware-A-Comprehensive-Plan-to-Combat-the-Growing-Threat-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/uk-to-ban-public-sector-orgs-from-paying-ransomware-gangs/
Published: Tue Jul 22 11:06:10 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
