Ex-White House cyber official says ransomware payment ban is a ways off

A House Financial Services subcommittee hearing examined whether to move toward a ransomware payment ban, with former Acting National Cyber Director Kemba Walden and other experts calling it a long-term goal but warning that the U.S. economy—particularly small businesses and critical infrastructure like rural hospitals—is not yet resilient enough. Witnesses recommended building preparedness through secure-by-design products, enhanced public-private information sharing, incentives for cyber hygiene, AI-enabled defense, and expanding the federal cyber workforce. They emphasized the need for international collaboration and blockchain-enabled forensics, noting safe havens tied to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and concluded that meaningful progress and milestones are required before any prohibition could be effective.