A ransomware attack by a Russian-speaking hacking group on the government of Costa Rica could be a preview of future attacks on the United States and allied governments, some cybersecurity professionals have warned.
“It’s clear that the ransomware game has changed,” Olson said. “It’s no longer just about stealing money from large corporations. Faced with the prospect of cyberwarfare and weaponized ransomware attacks, organizations in both the public and private sector should be preparing themselves by hardening their defenses and locking down their digital ecosystem.”
Olson told the Washington Examiner that the Russian government could turn to Conti for future attacks on the U.S. or its allies. “In the event that Russia chooses to pursue a more aggressive cyberwarfare strategy in the future, Conti actors may very well be recruited, and patriotic elements in Conti’s leadership could conceivably seize control of its operations,” he added.
