FinCEN Identifies Rising Trend in Ransomware Attacks on U.S. Infrastructure

FinCEN said that ransomware attacks continue to pose a significant threat to U.S. infrastructure.

FinCEN's most recent Financial Trend Analysis of ransomware-related BSA filings for 2021 found that, since late 2020, the number and severity of ransomware attacks on U.S. infrastructure increased, and the number of attacks significantly increased in the second half of 2021. A substantial number of these attacks were found to have been connected to Russia, its proxies or persons acting on its behalf.

To continue combating ransomware attacks, FinCEN encouraged firms to file suspicious activity reports, and said that firms should continue utilizing FinCEN's cyberattack reporting and identification tools to monitor and report any suspected violation of laws or regulations, even if not required to do so. FinCEN also urged firms to notify law enforcement immediately if an incident occurs.