London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jul 19, 2025

UK Government Proposes Ban on Ransomware Payments to Shield Critical Infrastructure

UK Government Proposes Ban on Ransomware Payments to Shield Critical Infrastructure

New measures aim to bolster national cybersecurity by preventing public sector bodies and essential services from being financially exploited by cybercriminals.
In a significant move to fortify the United Kingdom’s cyber defenses, the UK government has unveiled proposals that could ban all public sector bodies and critical national infrastructure from making ransomware payments.

These proposals are part of a new Home Office consultation intended to extend the current ban on government departments from submitting to ransomware demands.

Ransomware attacks have become an increasingly prevalent threat, with cybercriminals often demanding payments in exchange for unlocking or returning files they have compromised.

The newly proposed measures include a ransomware payment prevention regime aimed at heightening the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) visibility on active attacks.

This would involve the blocking of payments to known criminal groups and sanctioned entities, alongside mandatory reporting of ransomware incidents to enhance law enforcement intelligence.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis emphasized the importance of these measures in addressing the growing cyber threat landscape: “Driving down cyber crime is central to this Government’s missions to reduce crime, deliver growth, and keep the British people safe.

With an estimated one billion dollars flowing to ransomware criminals globally in 2023, it is vital we act to protect national security as a key foundation upon which this Government’s Plan for Change is built.”

The proposals are designed to make national infrastructure and public sector organizations such as the NHS, local councils, and schools less appealing to cybercriminals.

Recent ransomware incidents, including attacks on a major supplier to London Hospitals and the Royal Mail, underscore the urgency of enhanced protective measures.

Richard Horne, a leading figure at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), noted: “This consultation marks a vital step in our efforts to protect the UK from the crippling effects of ransomware attacks and the associated economic and societal costs.” Horne urges organizations to bolster their defenses and prepare contingency plans to maintain operations in the event of a cyber attack.

Paul Foster, Deputy Director and head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit, underscored the magnitude of the ransomware threat: “Ransomware is the most significant cybercrime threat facing the UK and the world, with attacks costing millions in terms of losses and recovery.”

The NCA’s recent success in dismantling the notorious LockBit ransomware network exemplifies the potential impact of these proposals.

The international investigation led to arrests, the sanctioning of criminals, and the exposure of LockBit’s infrastructure, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted law enforcement efforts.

The consultation represents a crucial initiative in the UK’s strategic response to cyber threats, aiming to disrupt the financial dependencies of cybercriminal networks and safeguard essential services from severe disruptions.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
Microsoft, US Lab to Use AI for Faster Nuclear Plant Licensing
Trump Walks Back Talk of Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Irish Tech Worker Detained 100 days by US Authorities for Overstaying Visa
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
×