Ransomware And How To Fight It: A conversation with Carole House

In this episode, Carole House, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center, joins Kirk to discuss cybersecurity basics, the ways that cybercriminals target companies to extort, and some simple basic protections that you can implement to make your company less attractive. Carole House previously served as the Director for Cybersecurity and Secure Digital Innovation at the White House National Security Council, and spent time at the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), where she led policy efforts on cybersecurity, virtual currency, and emerging technology. She is a former Army Captain, having served in chemical defense and military intelligence until November 2014. During her service, she undertook a deployment to Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, from 2012 to 2013 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. She is a respected figure in the fields of cybersecurity and technology policy. The Construction User 2.0 podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. Kirk has helped many organizations tell their stories as a photographer, blogger, web-streamer, and consultant. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects.    Discussion points: The song - sea shantys from D & D Carole’s background in government defense, the White House, Homeland Security What is ransomware? The disruption of ransomware and extortion relating to construction Cybersecurity hygiene - what can be done Basic precautions that should be in place Which companies are ‘attractive’ targets for cybercriminals? The lack of reporting of cybercrime and payouts If you pay, you become a more attractive target The Colonial Pipeline attack What can your company do - the basics These crimes are not going away   Resources: Carole House Money 2020 Carole House Profile