October 21, 2021
New Rule From US Commerce May Help Limit Spread of North Korean Cybercrime
The U.S. Commerce Department recently announced a new rule barring the export and resale of cyber “intrusion software” and equipment to China and Russia without a proper license from the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). It will apply to any intrusion software, including defensive products, being sold to any Chinese or Russian person regardless of whether they are affiliated with the government or not. Set to come into effect in 90 days, the rule will likely impact the operations of not only Chinese and Russian cybercriminals, but also the North Korean Lazarus Group, which conducts offensive cyber operations against foreign states, often with the assistance of Chinese or Russian groups.
As sanctions tighten in other areas, such as the commodities trade, North Korea continues to compensate for its monetary losses with funds obtained through illicit cyber activity.
While intrusion software is critical for penetration testing, which allows cybersecurity analysts to discover and patch existing system vulnerabilities, malicious actors have leveraged the sale and distribution of such technology to proliferate global cybercrimes. North Korea, in particular, has successfully incorporated cyber-enabled financial crime within its proliferation finance modus operandi for years as it provides an inexpensive and low-risk way to evade U.S. and U.N. economic sanctions. As sanctions tighten in other areas, such as the commodities trade, North Korea continues to compensate for its monetary losses with funds obtained through illicit cyber activity. These money-generating attacks range from basic data breaching tactics such as email phishing to more advanced forms of cyber-enabled financial crime including online bank heists, hacking of cryptocurrency transactions, and distributing ransomware.
Read the full article from The Diplomat.
More from CNAS
-
Sharper: Allies and Partners
Commentary
Amid intensifying geopolitical challenges, the United States is finding new ways to address security issues by cultivating and strengthening alliances and partnerships. How ca...
By Gwendolyn Nowaczyk & Charles Horn
-
Why Chinese EVs Are a Cyber Risk
Podcast
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular and if you can’t afford a Tesla, a cheaper Chinese made car could be the answer. But in the United States, the Biden administration...
By Adam Tong
-
Europe’s Take on Economic Security with EU Ambassador to the U.S. Jovita Neliupšienė
Podcast
Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė, the European Union's Ambassador to the United States, joins Emily and Geoff for a wide-ranging conversation on Europe's growing role as a econom...
By Emily Kilcrease & Geoffrey Gertz
-
Biden Urges Israel Not to Attack Iran Nuclear Sites
Video
Rachel Ziemba joins Bloomberg Television to discuss oil rising for a third day as traders watch for supply risks in the Middle East. Watch the full episode from Bloomberg Tel...
By Rachel Ziemba
