White House issues executive order addressing cybercrime by threat groups

The White House issued an executive order March 6 to combat cybercrimes by threat groups. The order highlights how such groups can receive willing or tacit state support for cyberattacks involving ransomware and malware, phishing, financial fraud and other schemes. The order directs federal agencies within 120 days to create an action plan that would be carried out by the National Coordination Center to identify criminal organizations “responsible for scam centers and cybercrime” and to propose solutions to dismantle those groups. The plan would describe how the attorney general and the secretary of Homeland Security should use technological capabilities, threat intelligence and operational insights from cybersecurity firms and other non-federal entities to improve attribution, tracking and disruption of cybercriminal activity. The plan would also include mechanisms to improve information sharing, operational coordination and rapid response across the federal government. 

Additionally, the order directs the attorney general within 90 days to submit a recommendation to the president regarding the establishment of a Victims Restoration Program to help restore funds for victims that were clawed back, forfeited or seized during cybercrimes. The White House also released an accompanying fact sheet with additional details.