US To Form Cyber Agency And Digital Policy To Face Ransomware, Indonesia's BSSN Is Hacked

Cybersecurity is becoming very urgent nowadays. (photo: doc. unsplash)

JAKARTA— The US State Department plans to establish a cyber and digital policy bureau to address the growing hacking problem, particularly the wave of ransomware attacks on infrastructure in the US. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the Senate confirmed ambassador would head the bureau.

Hackers have attacked many US companies this year. One such attack on pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline caused a temporary fuel shortage on the US East Coast. The hackers also targeted an Iowa-based agricultural company, sparking fears of disruption to Midwest grain harvests.

Two weeks ago, the Treasury Department said alleged $590 million in ransomware payments were made in the first six months of this year. This makes the cryptocurrency industry wary of its role in fighting ransomware attacks.

Price said the State Department would also establish a new special envoy for critical and emerging technologies "to lead the direct technology diplomacy agenda".

In Indonesia itself, a series of hacks began to occur on several government websites including the official website of the BSSN (National Cyber and Password Agency). But the government has not seen any ransomware or extortion attempts in the attack. However, this attack has done a lot of damage to the country.

This condition should be addressed by the Indonesian government by establishing the same bureau as in the US to anticipate similar threats in the future.