DOJ, European Union unify ransomware attack combating efforts

Department of Justice and European Union officials are espousing the benefits of a recent two-day workshop in The Hague to share best practices and enhance collaboration in confronting ransomware attacks.

“Only by working together with key law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in the EU can we effectively combat the threat that ransomware poses to our society,” Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, said. “I am confident that the U.S.-EU ransomware workshop will spur greater coordination and collaboration to address the ransomware threat.”

The event was organized by the Department of Justice and Eurojust, uniting over 100 prosecutors, law enforcement representatives, experts from the private sector, and non-governmental organizations representing 27 countries.

“There is no doubt that the scale, sophistication, and impact of ransomware attacks is significant, affecting all sectors of the economy and society at large,” Eurojust President Ladislav Hamran said. “We warmly welcome the opportunity to join forces with our U.S. colleagues in combating this form of crime. Through this week’s workshop, we are fostering closer cooperation not only between national authorities but also between the public and the private sector. I am convinced that this will prove to be crucial in our efforts to protect our citizens against online and offline threats.”