Local authorities could be banned from making ransomware payments as part of the Government’s plans to crack down on cybercrime.
The Home Office is consulting on the proposals as part of the effort to deter criminal gangs from targeting public bodies, such as councils, schools and the NHS.
The effort to tackle hackers could also include a proposal to make reporting of attacks mandatory.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: ‘With an estimated $1bn 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.
‘These proposals help us meet the scale of the ransomware threat, hitting these criminal networks in their wallets and cutting off the key financial pipeline they rely upon to operate.’
