The UK government is taking bold steps in the fight against ransomware with a new strategy—banning public sector entities and critical national infrastructure from paying ransoms to cybercriminals. The aim is to “disrupt the business model of cybercriminals and protect the services we all rely on.” But while the move appears decisive, is it a courageous solution or a risky gamble that could backfire?
Unpacking the New Measures: Who Will Be Affected?
The new policy bans the NHS, local councils, schools, and key infrastructure operators from paying ransom.
Meanwhile, the government plans to extend the framework to private organizations. Private companies must tell the government before making ransom payments, though the rule doesn’t fully ban them. This step helps build a formal system to track payments and analyze future threats more effectively.
Dan Jarvis, the UK’s Security Minister, said, “We are committed to dismantling the business model of cybercriminals and protecting the services we all rely on,” emphasizing that cutting off financial incentives is key to reducing attacks.
A Divided Outlook: Hope vs. Concern
While many support the intent, some experts warn the policy could bring new challenges especially for organizations with limited options during ransomware attacks.
Juliette Hudson, CTO of CybaVerse, noted that some attacks go beyond money. They aim for strategic goals like espionage or destabilization.Therefore, banning ransom payments alone may not be enough to deter these threats.
Allie Mellen, Principal Analyst at Forrester, was even more direct: “In theory, banning ransom payments sounds good, but in practice, it’s a disaster. Organizations that pay usually have no other choice. A blanket ban could endanger the very institutions it aims to protect.”
Reality on the Ground: Legality Isn’t the Only Issue
In real-life cases, many organizations still choose to "pay to survive." This often happens when systems go down, data gets locked, or operations can’t continue.
James Neilson from OPSWAT explained, “Most organizations don’t want to pay, but sometimes it’s the only way to restore services quickly. If banned completely, they may be trapped between breaking the law and facing indefinite shutdown.”
Kevin Robertson of Acumen Cyber added that the ban might unintentionally fuel a black market for ransom payments made through covert channels or international intermediaries.
Shuffling the Deck or Changing the Game?
While banning ransom payments might reshuffle the deck, it doesn't change the rules of the ransomware game. The threat remains, and attackers may simply shift their focus to sectors with fewer restrictions.
Trevor Dearing urged the government to boost readiness by creating backups, recovery plans, and updated risk checks. He believes preparation offers stronger protection than just banning payments.
An Incomplete Solution: Why Support May Matter More Than Bans
The UK’s payment ban is bold, but the complexity of real-world scenarios suggests that offering support to non-paying organizations may be a more effective long-term strategy than relying solely on prohibition
Source: SecurityWeek – UK’s Ransomware Payment Ban: Bold Strategy or Dangerous Gamble?