Anne Neuberger, who directs the National Security Agency’s new Cybersecurity Directorate, spoke about the upcoming elections’ vulnerability to ransomware attacks, The Hill reported Wednesday.
The newly formed directorate will focus efforts on ransomware in general, Neuberger said at Billington CyberSecurity’s 10th annual summit that takes place from Wednesday to Thursday. NSA will formally launch the new directorate this October.
Ransomware blocks users from computer access via encryption until a certain amount of money is paid. Recent cases of ransomware have been occurring in cities across the country.
Neuberger also talked about the directorate’s efforts to protect the nation from cyber threats led by adversaries such as China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.