Ransomware negotiator weighs in on the extortion payment debate with El Reg

An interview with GuidePoint GRIT’s Drew Schmitt outlines record ransomware activity, evolving coercive extortion tactics (including data leaks and contacting customers), the negotiator’s role focused on recovery and risk, and the mixed but notable impact of recent law-enforcement takedowns on groups like LockBit and ALPHV; it also weighs payment-ban proposals and urges a multi-pronged approach that incentivizes stronger security, especially for small and mid-sized businesses.