North Korean Charged With Involvement in WannaCry, Other Attacks

A North Korean was charged for involvement in the 2017 WannaCry cyberattacks (see 1712190043) and other “malicious activities,” DOJ announced Thursday. It alleged Park Jin Hyok was involved with North Korean government-sponsored campaigns including the $81 million theft from Bangladesh Bank in 2016 and a Sony Pictures Entertainment attack in 2014. Park was charged with “one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years,” Justice said. Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Mark Warner, D-Va., called the indictment "the result of years of hard work” and “an important step in making clear to our adversaries that these kinds of criminal activities are unacceptable.” A bill for combating state-sponsored cyberthreats passed the House by voice vote Wednesday. Cyber Deterrence and Response Act (HR-5576) from Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., creates a three-step process for identifying, deterring and responding to state-sponsored cyberthreats. S-3378, a companion bill, awaits Senate consideration.