{"id":550246,"date":"2021-06-02T20:21:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-03T00:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=550246"},"modified":"2021-06-02T20:21:12","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T00:21:12","slug":"watch-psaki-mocks-reporter-who-asks-why-russian-ransomware-attacks-increasing-under-biden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-psaki-mocks-reporter-who-asks-why-russian-ransomware-attacks-increasing-under-biden\/","title":{"rendered":"WATCH: Psaki Mocks Reporter Who Asks Why Russian Ransomware Attacks Increasing Under Biden"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwatch-psaki-mocks-reporter-who-asks-why-russian-ransomware-attacks-increasing-under-biden%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=550246&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Psaki-1200x800-1.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\"  style=\"display:none\"><\/div>\n<p>White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki mocked a reporter during Wednesday\u2019s press briefing after the reporter asked her why Russian ransomware attacks against U.S. companies are seemingly on the rise under President Joe Biden.<\/p>\n<p>The question from Fox News reporter Peter Doocy came after hackers believed to be from Russia have launched attacks on oil and meat companies, disrupting supply chains in the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn the JBS hack, these hackers based in Russia have disrupted American gas supplies and American meat supplies,\u201d Doocy said. \u201cWhy do you think that these ransomware attacks have been rising since President Biden took office?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, first, I would say these are private sector entities who have a responsibility to put in place measures to protect their own cybersecurity,\u201d Psaki responded. \u201cAs it relates to why criminal actors are taking actions against private sector entities, I don\u2019t think I\u2019m the right one to speak to that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo, a total coincidence?\u201d Doocy asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think you could certainly go track down those cyber criminals in Russia and have a good chat with them,\u201d Psaki responded.<\/p>\n<div id>\n<p><em>REPORTER 1:\u00a0 I have a couple of questions.\u00a0 First, on JBS, can you confirm that a ransom demand came from REvil?\u00a0 I know it\u2019s a criminal organization likely based in Russia.\u00a0 And was the ransom paid?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>And then, can you speak a little bit about \u2014 have you seen any progress on this call from the government for business and private sector to work with the federal government in updating their cybersecurity measures?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 Sure.\u00a0 On the last part, I\u2019m not in a place to confirm the specifics of the ransom request or the origin.\u00a0 Obviously, our team is continuing to evaluate.\u00a0 And I would send you to the company for any specific questions about the ransom request.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>I will say that this attack is a reminder about the importance to private sector entities of hardening their cybersecurity and ensuring that they take the necessary steps to prepare for this threat, which we\u2019ve seen rising even over the last few weeks.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>As it relates to actions we\u2019re taking in the federal government, the President has launched a rapid strategic review to address the increased threat of ransomware, to include four major lines of effort:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Disruption of ransomware infrastructure and actors.\u00a0 Working closely with the private sector \u2014 we will work in partnership with them.\u00a0 That is something that this administration has done a bit differently than in the past in working to find best practices, ensuring that private sector entities have a seat at the table, and we can work in close coordination.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Building an international coalition to hold countries who harbor ransom actors accountable.\u00a0 I mean, this attack is an example of how this is not just a problem in the United States.\u00a0 These are actors that are working to get into systems around the world.\u00a0 This was a company obviously based in Brazil, but Australia was a major \u2014 was impacted also by this.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Expanding cryptocurrency analysis \u2014 obviously, this has been an increasing question out there \u2014 to find and pursue criminal transactions.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>And reviewing our own ransomware policies.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>So this is an internal policy process \u2014 essentially, one that\u2019s looking at all of these entities within our national security\/economic team.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 2:\u00a0 Thank you.\u00a0 Back on the ransomware attack, is the U.S. going to retaliate?\u00a0 And, realistically, what options are on the table?\u00a0 Is a counterattack an option?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 Sure.\u00a0 Well, one, let me say \u2014 not to get ahead of your line of questioning, but I assume this will be a question.\u00a0 So we do expect this to be one of the issues that the President will discuss with President Putin at the summit.\u00a0 That will be two weeks from today, if my \u2014 if my calendar is correct in my mind.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>And in terms of considerations of \u2014 you know, we\u2019re not taking any options off the table, in terms of how we may respond.\u00a0 But, of course, there\u2019s an internal policy review process to consider that.\u00a0 We\u2019re in direct touch with the Russians, as well, to convey our concerns about these reports.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 2: You mentioned the meeting.\u00a0 When it comes to this issue, what does success look like at that discussion?\u00a0 I mean, what are you looking to accomplish when the President walks away from that table, when it comes to cybersecurity?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 Well, first, let me say that, you know, this is an issue that we have discussed with the Russian government \u2014 this specific issue \u2014 and we\u2019ve discussed it in the past, and delivered the message that responsible states do not harbor ransomware criminals.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>As we\u2019ve also noted from here, and I noted in the beginning: Obviously, ransomware attacks \u2014 we\u2019ve seen them increase over a period of time.\u00a0 It\u2019s an increasing threat to the private sector and to our critical infrastructure.\u00a0 And there are other countries, many of whom we will see when the President is in Europe, who have similar concerns.\u00a0 So we expect this to be an issue of discussion throughout the President\u2019s trip, I will say.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>In terms of what success looks like coming out of the summit, I can\u2019t predict that at this point in time.\u00a0 But I can convey to you that this will certainly be a topic of discussion \u2014 that harboring criminal entities that are intending to do harm, that are doing harm to the critical infrastructure in the United States is not acceptable.\u00a0 We\u2019re not going to stand by that; we will raise that, and we are not going to take options off the table.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 2: And in those conversations with the Russian government so far, do you get a sense that they are taking this seriously?\u00a0 Are they going to be taking steps to try and stop these bad actors?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 I am \u2014 as I\u2019ve said before, I\u2019m blissfully not a spokesperson for the Kremlin, so I will let them speak for themselves.\u00a0 But I can assure you that we are raising this through the highest levels of the U.S. government.\u00a0 It will be a topic of discussion in direct, one-on-one discussions \u2014 or direct discussions with President Putin and President Biden happening in just a couple of weeks.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>And certainly, protecting our own infrastructure in the United States is of the utmost national security importance.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 3:\u00a0 Just to put a fine point on this very quickly: Is it President Biden\u2019s view that President Putin can stop these attacks, these hacks, from occurring if he wanted to?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 Well, I would say the President \u2014 President Biden certainly thinks that President Putin and the Russian government has a role to play in stopping and preventing these attacks; hence, it\u2019s a \u2014 it will be a topic of discussion when they meet in two weeks.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 3: Does the President believe that Vladimir Putin is testing him right now, ahead of the summit?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 I\u2019m not going to give any further analysis on that other than to tell you that our view is that when there are criminal entities within a country, they certainly have a responsibility, and it is a role that the government can play.\u00a0 And, again, that will be a discussion at the summit.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 3: Of all the threats that the White House has to juggle right now \u2014 and, of course, there are a lot \u2014 how high does ransomware fall on that list right now?\u00a0 Has it gone dramatically higher in the course of this administration?\u00a0 Does it need to be higher than it is right now?\u00a0 Where is it?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 You know how I love rank ordering our focuses and our threats.\u00a0 (Laughs.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 3: How \u2014 but it\u2019s been growing dramatically, obviously.\u00a0 Right?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 That is true.\u00a0 And I \u2014<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 3: This is now a bigger issue.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 And, Peter, I just said that.\u00a0 I think that this is \u2014 this attack that we\u2019ve seen over the last couple of days, and certainly following the attack that we saw several weeks ago, is also a reminder to the private sector about the need and the importance of hardening their own cybersecurity protections, of investing in and putting in place protections in their own systems.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>We have given guidance for some time, from the federal government, and it is up to a number of these private sector entities to protect themselves as well.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 3: The Steamship Authority in Massachusetts reports that they were just the victims of a hack.\u00a0 Has that been communicated to the White House?\u00a0 Are you involved?\u00a0 Do you have any comment or message, or anybody to attribute that to?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 I have seen those reports.\u00a0 They \u2014 they just came out.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 3: They just reported it.\u00a0 Yeah.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 Yes, exactly.\u00a0 I just don\u2019t have anything more for you on it, but we can see if there\u2019s more later this afternoon.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 3: All good.\u00a0 Last one, if I can, then.\u00a0 In March, we heard from the National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan.\u00a0 He came in here and told us that the U.S., \u201cin the near future\u201d \u2014 to his words \u2014 would name who\u2019s responsible for the hack on the Microsoft Exchange.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>So can you tell us who that is \u2014 multiple \u2014 several months have passed \u2014 and what the holdup might be?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 I\u2019m happy to check with our national security team and see if they have an update.\u00a0 As you know, they are quite careful and thorough \u2014 I should say, \u201cthorough\u201d is probably the right word \u2014 in how they review and assess and provide public guidance.\u00a0 But we can see if there\u2019s anything more they can report out.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 3: Is the prevailing theory still that it\u2019s China?\u00a0 Or are you \u2014 can you not go any further than he did then?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I have an update on it from what we\u2019ve provided in the past.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 4: On the JBS hack, these hackers based in Russia have disrupted American gas supplies and American meat supplies.\u00a0 Why do you think that these ransomware attacks have been rising since President Biden took office?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 Well, first, I would say these are private sector entities who have a responsibility to put in place measures to protect their own cybersecurity.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>As it relates to why criminal actors are taking actions against private sector entities, I don\u2019t think I\u2019m the right one to speak to that.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 4: So, a total coincidence?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 I think you could certainly go track down those cyber criminals in Russia and have a good chat with them.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 4: Okay.\u00a0 If you have any leads, we\u2019ll take that.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 Okay.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 5: Thank you, Jen.\u00a0 Just a couple of follow-ups on JBS.\u00a0 Obviously, the White House is engaging directly with Russia on this, and we were wondering if Russia has offered any cooperation or help in tracking down these hackers.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 I\u2019m just not going to be reading out Russia\u2019s view or their role here.\u00a0 You can certainly ask them those questions.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REPORTER 5: And considering \u2014 this is obviously the third Russia-linked attack this year, and we understand that the President will bring this up in his meeting with President Putin \u2014 but is the administration really considering any actions in addition to that, just to make sure that this doesn\u2019t happen?\u00a0 Sanctions or any other actions that are perhaps on the table?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PSAKI:\u00a0 Sure.\u00a0 I mean, as I said, I think, in response to an earlier question: We\u2019re not taking options off of the table.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>But it\u2019s just an opportunity \u2014 there will be an opportunity for the President to discuss this directly with President Putin, to reiterate the fact that we believe that responsible states do not harbor ransomware criminals and that \u2014 and as he said, as we said, around Colonial and the Colonial hack \u2014 or the Colonial ransomware attack \u2014 we will continue to be in direct touch with Moscow.\u00a0 We will continue to make the case that responsible countries need to take decisive action against ransomware networks.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>At the same time, as I noted a little bit earlier too, we\u2019re doing our own review of a range of options as well from here.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><i><span>The Daily Wire is one of America\u2019s fastest-growing conservative media companies and counter-cultural outlets for news, opinion, and entertainment. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/subscribe\"><i><span>member<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki mocked a reporter during Wednesday\u2019s press briefing after the reporter asked her why Russian ransomware attacks against U.S. companies are seemingly on the rise &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2279004,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Psaki-1200x800-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"WATCH: Psaki Mocks Reporter Who Asks Why Russian Ransomware Attacks Increasing Under Biden","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-550246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Psaki-1200x800-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"WATCH: Psaki Mocks Reporter Who Asks Why Russian Ransomware Attacks Increasing Under Biden","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/550246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=550246"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/550246\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2279004"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=550246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=550246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=550246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}