Over the past years and months, the world has seen ransomware attacks with serious consequences targeting not only large companies but entire countries. In May 2022, Costa Rica declared a national emergency amid a series of attacks affecting nearly 30 public institutions and services, including tax collection, social security and customs. Is such a shift in scale becoming the new norm, and what is the reason for these escalations? How can the EU support partner countries through cyber capacity-building initiatives?
A ransomware attack against a country requires knowledge, skills and intelligence, which are usually possessed by operators with government background. This is a game with a lot at stake for both parties – the victim nation will do everything it can to catch the attackers, but if it fails, confidentiality, integrity, and availability are at risk. In the panel discussion, we will explore the possible motivation of attackers operating in the LAC region and address the options for nations to build resilience. The panellists will explain how the EU-funded Cyber Capacity Building projects and International Counter Ransomware Initiative can help countries to better combat cyberattacks and protect their digital societies.
Organized and moderated by EU CyberNet, the one-hour panel consists of cyber security specialists from Latin America, North America and Europe, who lift the lid on state-sponsored ransomware attacks and coordinated CCB potential.