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<p>Cyber crime is a significant threat to the security and prosperity of the UK. The
most recent Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated that there were 984,000
‘computer misuse’ offences against individuals in England and Wales in the year ending
December 2023. The Government recognises ransomware as the most significant national
security cyber threat.</p><p>The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) discourages
paying ransoms, noting that such payments rarely ensure data recovery. The UK Government
neither pays ransoms nor condones the payment of ransoms to criminals, always advising
against such substantial concessions to hostage-takers or extortionists.</p><p>At
the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) summit in Washington last year, we led a joint
statement signed by 46 countries and Interpol, which pledged that “relevant institutions
under the authority of our national government” should not be used to pay a ransomware
demand. This was the first international statement of its kind. Our joint statement
was a major milestone in achieving international consensus around the non-payment
of ransoms.</p>
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