The #RansomwareTaskForce developed the Blueprint for Ransomware Defense to provide SMEs with an actionable cyber framework, aligning with NIST's Cybersecurity Framework 1.0 & using the CIS Controls. Today IST remaps the Blueprint to NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0.
🛡️ Learn more: bit.ly/480PHEZ

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: CyberNext DC 2025. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. As cyberattacks continue to hammer networks and critical infrastructure — threatening economic stability and global trust — it has never been more important for both the public and private sectors to ...

LIVE at #CyberNextDC, IST CSO @megans.bsky.social delivers a keynote on the #RansomwareTaskForce, cyber policy, and what we’re facing in the next few years.
🛡️ Join on Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Ransomware Task Force (RTF) The Ransomware Task Force (RTF) is a multistakeholder effort led by the Institute for Security and Technology with participation from across government, industry, and civil society. Together, the RTF ...

These efforts are broadly in line with the goals of the #RansomwareTaskForce, and both the Brazil RTF and the Global RTF offer specific, actionable recommendations that can help achieve those goals!
🛡️ Learn more about the RTF:

🛡️ On Monday, IST will join the Brazil Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Organization of American States for a discussion on the Brazil #RansomwareTaskForce. If you’re in NYC for the Open-ended Working Group on the security of and in the use of information & communications tech, reach out to learn more!

When the #RansomwareTaskForce worked on this in 2022, we based our assessments on data from ransomware group leak sites. It's an important slice, but not every incidents follows this model
securityandtechnology.org/blog/2022-global-ransomw...

Megan Stifel on the Impact of the Ransomware Task Force Podcast Episode · Nexus: A Claroty Podcast · 05/28/2025 · 30m

At #RSA last month, IST Chief Strategy Officer @megans.bsky.social joined Michael Mimoso for a live recording of Claroty’s Nexus Podcast to discuss the history of the #RansomwareTaskForce, and what’s next for our work.
🎙️ Listen to the full episode: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...

Megan Stifel: “Flexible multi-year funding is crucial for nonprofits to sustain project activities and scale impact.” - Common Good Cyber Megan Stifel from IST discusses cybersecurity challenges and IST’s milestones, impact, and views on funding.

CommonGoodCyber interviewed IST CSO @megans.bsky.social on IST’s impact, the #RansomwareTaskForce, and long-term funding for #cybersecurity nonprofit. Read why she thinks multi-year funding is the key to sustained success: commongoodcyber.org/news/intervi...

High street hackers: How can you stay scam savvy? - BBC Bitesize M&S and other retailers have been targeted by cyber-attacks. But what is ransomware and how can you protect yourself?

British retailer M&S was the victim of a cyber attack last month which exposed customers’ personal data. IST Adjunct & #RansomwareTaskForce co-chair Jen Ellis spoke to BBC Radio Live on steps users can take to protect themselves. One rec? Two-step verification.
🛡️ Read more: bit.ly/4dpjUPe

Megan Stifel: “Flexible multi-year funding is crucial for nonprofits to sustain project activities and scale impact.” - Common Good Cyber Megan Stifel from IST discusses cybersecurity challenges and IST’s milestones, impact, and views on funding.

What are the biggest challenges to driving policy change? IST CSO @megans.bsky.social spoke with Common Good Cyber on the #RansomwareTaskForce, the importance of measuring impact, and sustainable funding for nonprofit organizations.
🛡️ Read more: commongoodcyber.org/news/intervi...

Now live at #RSA25: IST Chief Strategy Officer and RTF Executive Director Megan Stifel looks back on 4 years of the #RansomwareTaskForce with #cyber experts.

Now in its 4th year, the #RansomwareTaskForce helped pioneer the way policymakers approach #ransomware. At #RSAC today, IST CSO & RTF Executive Director @megans.bsky.social moderates a panel with key stakeholders to break down what's worked and what hasn’t.
🛡️ Register: bit.ly/4kjutG3

Nexus Podcast - Megan Stifel on Four Years of the Ransomware Task Force | LinkedIn Live from Club Claroty at RSA Conference 2025: Michael Mimoso, host of the Nexus Podcast, talks to Megan S., Chief Strategy Officer at the Institute for Security and Technology (IST), about the Ransom...

In 30 minutes, IST Chief Strategy Officer @megans.bsky.social will sit down with host Michael Mimoso on the Nexus Podcast to discuss the #RansomwareTaskForce.

Join them live in Club Claroty at #RSAC: lnkd.in/gzW-t-8K

Defeating Ransomware: A 360° Review of the RTF Four Years On
Thursday, 5/1
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM PT
IST Chief Strategy Officer @megans.bsky.social moderates a panel reflecting on what's worked and what hasn’t for the #RansomwareTaskForce.
🛡️ Register: path.rsaconference.com/flow/rsac/us...

We're happy to announce that Wendy Nather will keynote #BSidesBoulder25 on 13 June! Based in Fort Collines, Wendy has an impressive track record in #infosec, helps steer the #RansomwareTaskForce, and is a senior fellow for the Atlantic Council's Cyber Statecraft Initiative.

🚨 TODAY: IST’s #RansomwareTaskForce hosts a webinar to explore the UK’s proposals to mitigate #ransomware payments. What are the policy implications of a #ransomware ban? What would mandatory reporting look like?
🛡️ Join us on Zoom in 1 hour: bit.ly/4hLPXcS

Tomorrow, join IST’s #RansomwareTaskForce for a presentation of the UK gov’s open consultation on #ransomware with UK Cyber Head Charlie Smoothy, followed by an in-depth discussion with IST Adjunct Jen Ellis, RUSI Fellow Jamie MacColl, and IST Sr. Dir. Michael Klein.
🛡️ Register now: bit.ly/4hLPXcS

On 3/26, IST’s #RansomwareTaskForce tackles the UK gov’s open consultation on #ransomware. UK Head of National Security Cyber Policy Charlie Smoothy will kick us off with a short presentation on the 3 proposals, followed by a panel discussion with IST and RUSI experts.
🛡️ Register now: bit.ly/4hLPXcS

Save the date: On Wednesday, March 26, join IST and members of the #RansomwareTaskForce for a discussion of the UK’s government open consultation on #ransomware, including a presentation on the proposals by the UK Home Office.
🛡️ Register to attend: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Since April 2021, IST’s #RansomwareTaskForce has investigated how to disrupt the infrastructure that ransomware groups rely on to receive payments. Trevaughn Smith presents new strategies for targeting the resourcing phase of the #ransomware ecosystem.
🖋️ From the #NatSpecs blog: bit.ly/4ilbMRx

Ransomware Task Force (RTF) The Ransomware Task Force (RTF) is a multistakeholder effort led by the Institute for Security and Technology with participation from across government, industry, and civil society. Together, the RTF ...

🛡️ Learn more about the #RansomwareTaskForce: securityandtechnology.org/ransomwareta...

🚨 NEW from #TechnologISTTalks: How is AI altering the cybersecurity landscape? In the final #TechnologISTTalks episode of 2024, IST CEO Philip Reiner is joined by Heather Adkins, Security Engineering VP at Google & member of the #RansomwareTaskForce Steering Co.
🎙️ Listen to Episode 6: bit.ly/49QbazK

Ransomware Task Force Announces New Funding and Partners for 2024 and Beyond

As we approach the end of 2024, IST’s #RansomwareTaskForce is excited to welcome Zscaler & Mastercard as new supporters!
🛡️ securityandtechnology.org/blog/ransomw...

This year, IST Future of Digital Security Associate @tre.photos helped the #RansomwareTaskForce equip orgs to defend against ransomware with his Prepare, Don’t Pay: Quick Start Guide, aimed at supporting small businesses in implementing the Blueprint for Ransomware Defense.
🌟 bit.ly/41I1plk

In 2024, #ransomware payments totaled more than $1 billion. IST Deputy Director for Digital Security & #RansomwareTaskForce team member @tgrossman.bsky.social has been hard at work bringing together law enforcement and the private sector to combat cyber threats.
🌟 bit.ly/4iH1f3A

International disruption efforts, such as arrests, remain a core pillar of several recommendations outlined in the inaugural #RansomwareTaskForce report.
🔺1.1.2: Establish an international coalition to combat ransomware criminals
🔺2.2: Target the infrastructure used by ransomware criminals 6/

Strengthening Brazil’s Cybersecurity: The Brazil Ransomware Task Force In September, IST Senior Director for International Cyber Engagement Elizabeth Vish and Future for Digital Security Associate Gigi Flores Bustamante attended the first convening of Brazil’s Ransomware...

Institute for Security and Technology and the #RansomwareTaskForce have launched the first international RTF in Brazil! IST’s Gigi Flores Bustamante connected with public & private stakeholders to discuss #ransomware disruption efforts in Brazil.her blog:

securityandtechnology.org/blog/the-bra...

In September, IST’s Elizabeth Vish & Gigi Flores Bustamante attended the first convening of the Brazil
#RansomwareTaskForce, co-organized by Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the OAS & IST. Gigi shares her reflections on launching the Brazil RTF 🇧🇷
🖋️ From the #NatSpecs blog: bit.ly/4907jQi

2023 RTF Global Ransomware Incident Map: Attacks Increase by 73%, Big Game Hunting Appears to Surge The 2023 RTF Global Ransomware Incident Map presents the task force’s annual map of ransomware incidents and identifies ransomware trends worldwide.

#Ransomware attacks increased by 73% across the world in 2023, @IST_org and the #RansomwareTaskForce report. Once again, governments and hospitals were among the most targeted industries. Check out their map and learn more about how we can combat ransomware:
securityandtechnology.org/blog/2023-rt...