DOJ announces new strategy to combat cybercrime

The Department of Justice last week announced a new strategic approach to combating cybercrime which involves "using all tools" to disrupt cybercriminals and hold them accountable, as well as promoting cybersecurity through public education efforts. The agency's criminal division will lead efforts which include ensuring the department has the necessary tools and policies in place to disrupt cyberthreats and aid victims.

The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section will be responsible for developing DOJ's intellectual property enforcement approach and collaborating with the FBI and international partners on intellectual property cases and ransomware efforts. CCIPS will also address risks presented by emerging technology such as virtual currency.

"We appreciate DOJ's continuing efforts to combat cybercrime targeting the U.S. critical infrastructure, including the health care sector," said John Riggi, AHA national advisor for cybersecurity and risk. "The AHA believes in not only a whole-of-government approach to use all law enforcement, intelligence and military capabilities to disrupt these state-supported groups, but we also believe in a whole-of-nation approach. That's why the AHA continues to work closely with the federal government to help them understand the threat to life impact these attacks have and encourage cooperation from the field to exchange valuable threat information."

For more information on this or other cyber and risk issues, contact Riggi at [email protected]. For the latest cyber and risk resources and threat intelligence, visit aha.org/cybersecurity.