By Christopher Bing & Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Wednesday’s announcement by Lisa Monaco, the U.S. Deputy Attorney General, revealed two new Justice Department enforcement measures aimed at targeting cryptocurrencies as well government contractors that fail to report breaches of cyber security.

Monaco spoke during the Aspen Cyber Summit’s virtual speech on Wednesday to announce the establishment of the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team. This team will have the goal to help “strengthen” the Justice Department’s ability to discredit financial markets that permit cybercriminals to flourish.

It will consist of a mixture of anti-money launderers and cybersecurity specialists.

Monaco explained that cryptocurrency exchanges wish to become the bank of the future. However, we must ensure that people have trust in these systems. And we need the tools to prevent abuse. Monaco stated that the goal is to safeguard consumers.

The ransomware malware, which encrypts the systems of computers and asks for payment in cryptocurrency, is used by cybercriminals to attack U.S.-based companies. To accept or transfer payments in cryptocurrency, hackers use many different services. This helps hide the money from authorities.

Monaco announced also the establishment of a civil cybersecurity fraud initiative. This will use civil enforcement tools in order to prosecute companies that are contractors to government, and who fail to comply with recommended cybersecurity standards.

Companies have opted to remain silent for too long because they believed it was safer to conceal a breach rather than report it. Monaco explained that today, this has changed.

This announcement comes after several cyberattacks on U.S. agencies and businesses earlier this year.

Cybercriminals attacked the U.S.’s largest pipeline operator in order to cause gas shortages across the East Coast. New cybersecurity guidelines were established for pipeline owners following the incident in July.