Cyber Experts Blast Biden White House For Suggesting Private Companies Might Consider Paying Ransomware Demands

In the wake of the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline, a White House official who is the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies stated that private companies might consider paying ransomware demands, contravening an FBI policy that companies should not do so, prompting cybersecurity experts to rip the White House.

At a Monday press briefing, The Associated Press’ White House reporter Aamer Madhani asked Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, “Just to clarify something: Has Colonial paid any ransom? And has there been any advice on that?”