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Business got hacked? The Dutch government doesn’t want you to pay the ransom

The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security is considering a ban on paying ransoms if a business is shut down due to a ransomware attack.

The discussed limitation would only affect insured businesses according to the report, where reimbursing ransom payments by insurance companies will be prohibited, the NOS reports.

The Dutch Association of Insurers expressed some concerns over the reports as being unable to pay can have major consequences for companies — “sometimes they have no other choice,” says security expert Frank Groenewegen of Deloitte Cyber.

Confusion

In many ransomware attacks, a locking software is launched against a company or a business where they will lose access to their files, and sometimes backup files, with a threat to make their customers’ and/or employees’ data public unless a payment is made for the attacker. 🔓

While sources confirmed to the NOS that the ministry is exploring different ways to reduce ransom payments, it seems unclear why the current focus is only tackling insurer payments since not all companies are insured against ransomware.🤔

In this countermove against the increasing threat of ransomware attacks, Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus said he would prefer not to see insurers pay a ransom.

On the danger of companies paying a ransom, it is essentially seen as an ecosystem where “the payments keep the criminal ecosystem going,” says Chief Public Prosecutor Michiel Zwinkels.

What do you think of the government’s take on ransomware? Tell us more in the comments below!

Feature Image: AndreyPopov/Depositphotos

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
Farah believes she's been on many adventures during her millennial life, each for a different (sometimes invisible) purpose. The latest adventure whisked her away to Amsterdam for love, and what a magical surprise she found in this city. Armed with imaginary confetti in her pocket, and ready to celebrate all wins, big and small, Farah says "ahla w sahla" or “welcome” to her latest adventure in this wonderland.

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