The Justice Department is gearing up for a robust counteroffensive against cyber threats in 2024, with Sean Newell, Chief of the National Security Cyber Section, anticipating an increased tempo of U.S. government disruption operations.
At the 10th International Conference on Cybersecurity in New York City, Newell emphasized the department’s proactive strategy, citing successful 2023 operations that dismantled ransomware gangs and targeted prominent botnets.
This proactive approach aims to disrupt cybercriminal activities and enhance the nation’s cybersecurity posture. U.S. Attorneys Breon Peace and Damian Williams outlined key priorities, emphasizing a focus on prosecuting cryptocurrency hacking cases and dismantling the supporting infrastructure of cybercrime.
Peace stressed the importance of enforcing the rule of law on platforms facilitating cybercrime, citing recent operations targeting havens for illicit transactions by ransomware criminals.
The officials also highlighted a concerning trend – the decreasing barriers to entry into cybercrime. Younger and less skilled individuals are now more accessible to sophisticated hacking tools, prompting the need for an escalated response from law enforcement agencies.
As cyber threats evolve, the Justice Department is not only committed to prosecuting criminal actors but is also dedicated to disrupting cybercriminal infrastructure, reflecting a comprehensive and proactive approach to safeguarding the nation’s digital landscape in the year ahead.
