Almost half of British businesses have been victim to a ransomware attack in the past year. These cyber criminals can paralyse a company's systems or threaten to publish confidential files until it pays a ransom.

The Daily Telegraph has published an in-depth feature this morning looking at ransomware, whether the government needs to do more to tackle it and whether hacking back is an option.

Ashley Hurst is quoted in the article: “We would need a change in the law to allow ‘hack-back’ techniques in the UK,” says Ashley Hurst, the co-head of cyber and data litigation at law firm Osborne Clarke. “As things stand, the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and various other laws would make such activity unlawful.”

Ransomware is a growing threat to our clients and Ashley and the rest of Osborne Clarke's Cyber and Contentious Data team can advise on the threats and legal options available as well as providing ransom simulation exercises to help legal and management teams prepare.

More information on ransomware can be found in this Osborne Clarke Insight - Ransomware: to pay or not to pay?

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