Ransom and extortion have been around since ancient times. Adversaries are taking these age-old concepts and leveraging today’s sophisticated technology to steal proprietary information and customer data and disrupt business operations to make detrimental financial and reputational impacts. Cyber ransom, extortion, and blackmail for the return of highly sensitive intellectual property has become common, but the rise of virtual currency like Bitcoin is making it easier for hackers to demand monetary transactions that are likely untraceable.
As Bitcoin-based extortion and blackmail schemes become more common, K2 Intelligence’s team of former FBI cyber agents, prosecutors, and analysts have the unique background, expertise, and resources to conduct cyber ransom and extortion investigations. The K2 Intelligence team quickly determines the best course of action and can engage as necessary with the threat actor and as a liaison with law enforcement to make sure the client is protected.
Depending on the circumstances and nature of the ransomware, K2 Intelligence has the ability to communicate with the threat actor, negotiate the terms of payment, and make anonymous bitcoin payments on demand. K2 Intelligence is in possession of a supply of unattributable bitcoin that have been obtained through a combination of mining and purchases and K2 Intelligence maintains long-standing relationships with reputable Bitcoin exchanges.
K2 Intelligence investigates crypto-currency-facilitated criminal activities including extortion, ransom, the purchase and sale of illicit goods, laundering/tumbling, and Bitcoin theft for a range of clients including financial institutions, corporate entities, and high-net-worth/high-profile individuals.
