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10/1/2020

Treasury Department Issues Ransomware Advisories to Increase Awareness and Thwart Attacks | U.S. Department of t…

Treasury Department Issues Ransomware Advisories to Increase
Awareness and Thwart Attacks
October 1, 2020

Advisories provide guidance and tools to recognize, resist, and report attacks
WASHNGTON—The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s O ice of Terrorism and Financial
Intelligence today issued a pair of advisories to assist U.S. individuals and businesses in
e orts to combat ransomware scams and attacks, which continue to increase in size and
scope. Anti-money laundering and sanctions regulations implemented and enforced by
Treasury’s O ice of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence may have implications for persons
involved in facilitating ransomware payments. E orts to detect and report ransomware
payments are vital to prevent and deter cyber actors from deploying malicious so ware to
extort individuals and businesses, and to hold ransomware attackers accountable for their
crimes.
“Cybercriminals have deployed ransomware attacks against our schools, hospitals, and
businesses of all sizes,” said Deputy Secretary Justin G. Muzinich. “Treasury will continue to
use its powerful tools to counter these malicious cyber actors and their facilitators.”
Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an advisory, entitled
Advisory on Ransomware and the Use of the Financial System to Facilitate Ransom
Payments, to provide information on the role of financial intermediaries in payments,
ransomware trends and typologies, and related financial red flags. It also provides
information on e ectively reporting and sharing information related to ransomware attacks.
Treasury’s O ice of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also issued an advisory, entitled Advisory
on Potential Sanctions Risks for Facilitating Ransomware Payments, to highlight the
sanctions risks associated with facilitating ransomware payments on behalf of victims
targeted by malicious cyber-enabled activities.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Additional information and resources
on cybersecurity from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National
Cybersecurity Alliance can be found here.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1142

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10/1/2020

Treasury Department Issues Ransomware Advisories to Increase Awareness and Thwart Attacks | U.S. Department of t…

View the ransomware advisories from FinCEN and OFAC.

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https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1142

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