by Daniel Croft
Australia’s largest energy producer has called on the federal government to rethink a number of its cyber processes, including its potential move to outlaw ransomware payments.
In its submission to the 2023–2030 Australian cyber security strategy discussion paper, AGL has said that banning ransomware payments, while likely to reduce the number of ransomware attacks, could have dire consequences.
“Prohibiting the payment of ransom or extortion demands may reduce the volume of attacks,” said AGL.
“However, such a prohibition may result in potentially avoidable catastrophic damage, harm to community, loss of life, disruption of essential services or disclosure of sensitive information.
“In some circumstances and for some organisations, the payment of a ransom demand may be the only path to achieving acceptable outcomes.”