Ransomware Threats in IL

In the past year, several Illinois organizations have been compromised by ransomware groups, which often demand payment in cryptocurrency under threat of compromising services or leaking sensitive data.

To discuss the proliferation of ransomware attacks in Illinois, The 21st was joined by the CEO of a cyber reconnaissaince company, a reporter covering cybersecurity and Chair of the Department of Information Technology and Management at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Guests:

AJ Vicens, Reporter for Mother Jones covering cybersecurity, with recent reporting on the proliferation of ransomware attacks in the U.S

Kurtis Minder, CEO and co-founder of GroupSense, a cyber reconnaissance and digital risk company, the subject of the recent The New Yorker profile piece, "How to Negotiate With Ransomware Hackers.”

Calvin Nobles, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Information Technology and Management at the Illinois Institute of Technology. He has previously worked as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer for the United States Navy and as a cybersecurity professional for Wells Fargo

As somebody who pays attention to the ins and outs of information security, hackers, geopolitical conflict, etc, these Qs are a good reminder that the typical person is too busy to keep up, but is no less concerned about what's happening and why. (2/3)

— AJ Vicens (@AJVicens) June 15, 2021

Long way to say that coverage of this issue should keep these folks & their concerns in mind. The infosec community--much like the journalism community, unfortunately--is very good at talking to and for itself at the expense of communicating key info to people who need it. (3/3)

— AJ Vicens (@AJVicens) June 15, 2021

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

Help shape our coverage on The 21st by joining our texting group and answering weekly questions. To join, text “TALK” to 217-803-0730 or sign up with your phone number below: