Event to educate public on ransomware and cybercrime threats

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An event on April 24 will focus on ransomware and cybercrime to educate the public about the threats.

The Idaho Department of Finance’s Financial Innovation Lab in collaboration with Boise State University’s Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity will host the event at 1:30 p.m. at the BSU Alumni and Friends Center, 1173 W. University Drive, 123A Ballroom A in Boise.

Speakers will include Idaho U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit and Chainalysis Chief Technology Officer Gurvais Grigg. According to the Department of Finance, the event will provide attendees with an overview of ransomware trends, methodologies, prevention strategies and incident response recommendations.

In addition, other cybercrime issues will be addressed and career paths for students will be presented.

“The IDOF FIL seeks to bring together the finest minds in the financial technology space to collaborate on the most pressing issues facing the public and financial industry,” said John Yaros, chief of the Securities Bureau at the department. “Ransomware is an issue that causes tremendous damage to businesses and the public, and we are thankful to our partners at Boise State University, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Chainalysis, who are working with us to educate the public and identify solutions to this destructive form of cybercrime.”

Edward Vasko, the director of BSU’s Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity, echoed Yaros’s sentiment while emphasizing the importance of the topic.

“Ransomware and cyber fraud continue to have real financial impact on individuals and organizations throughout Idaho,” he said. “Through our ongoing collaborations, the Idaho Department of Finance and Boise State’s Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity are diligently working to enable, inform and defend Idahoans from cyber criminals and adversarial nation states.”

Vasko said the event represents the continuing outreach that makes the Financial Innovation Lab a “critical piece” of the state’s cyber ecosystem.

The event is expected to fill up quickly and those interested in attending can register at www.eventbrite.com/e/cybercrime-ransomware-trends-actions-tickets-866675869857