US Marshals Service Hit With Ransomware Attack

Facts

• The United States Marshals Service announced it was hit with a ransomware attack on Feb. 17. The agency called the attack — in which malware locks up computer systems until a ransom is paid — a “major incident.”¹
• Marshals Service spokesperson Drew Wade confirmed that the affected systems contained “sensitive information including returns from legal process, administrative information” and “personally identifiable information” related to subjects of the agency's investigations.²
• US policy dictates that all “major incidents” are considered to be “significant cyber incidents” that could likely result in harm to national security, foreign relations, the economy, and other issues. Agencies must report such incidents to Congress within seven days of identification.³
• Shortly after the attack’s discovery, the Dept. of Justice initiated an investigation.⁴
• The Marshals Service took the attacked system offline. Earlier this month Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare had to take its information technology systems offline after an apparent ransomware attack.⁵
• Ransomware attacks have become one of the most serious cybersecurity concerns as attacks have crippled services and networks across the globe. The FBI and international law enforcement were able to disrupt a prolific ransomware gang last month marking a major reported success.⁶

Sources: ¹Abc news (a), ²NBC, ³CBS, ⁴Abc news (b), ⁵FOX News and ⁶Associated Press.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Techspot. The US Marshals Service is the latest government agency to be embarrassingly impacted by ransomware attacks, as the US government continues to show it is not prepared to face growing cybersecurity challenges. In recent weeks, the Marshall's service, FBI, and Pentagon have all confirmed leaks. This should not be happening for the most powerful country in the world, and the government must step up its cybersecurity.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Us news . Ransomware attacks are a massive threat to security across the globe, and the US intelligence community is working with international law enforcement to thwart attacks. Just last month, the FBI busted one of the most prolific ransomware gangs in the world, and it is working to eradicate cyber security attacks.