The collection and processing of information was a major theme at the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) hearing titled, “Rising Threats: Ransomware Attacks and Ransom Payments Enabled by Cryptocurrency” on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the committee hosted experts in the private sector who spoke out about ransomware attacks as well as the difficulties of collecting and using information to combat them.

Gary Peters, chairman of the Michigan Committee, introduced Strengthening American Cybersecurity Act (February) and stated that the government does not have enough data to assess the extent of ransomware attacks. He added that almost all ransomware attackers demand payment in cryptocurrency.