After Biden warning, hackers define ‘critical’ as they see fit

Cybersecurity experts have previously warned that claims in which ransomware groups appear to take the high ground should be taken with a grain of salt. — DARWIN LAGAZON/Pixabay

After a furious run of ransomware attacks in the first half of the year, President Joe Biden in July warned his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that Russia-based hacking groups should steer clear of 16 critical sectors of the US economy.

In recent days, a Russia-linked ransomware group called BlackMatter attacked a grain cooperative in Iowa, an incident that appears to test Biden’s terms since "food and agriculture” is one of the protected sectors.