Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Proposed UK ban on ransomware payments by public sector and CNI could drive up cyber-insurance costs, limit cover and spark disputes over definitions and supply chain exposure

Published on: 12 June 2025

Published by a Law360 reporter

Legal News

Article summary

The government argues that stopping public bodies from handing over large sums to ransomware gangs will discourage attacks. However, insurance and legal specialists fear such a bar will sharply increase the expense of rebuilding digital systems and rack up further millions in lost income. The knock-on effect, they warn, is that cyber insurance for services ranging from councils to vital utilities could price itself out of reach. Premiums could rise, cover might be narrowed, and in some cases risks could even become uninsurable, said Jamie MacColl, senior research fellow for cyber and technology at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank. In January 2025 the government opened a consultation proposing a blanket ban on all public authorities yielding to and paying ransomware demands. That consultation closed on 8 April 2025, and Whitehall has not yet replied or set out its next moves. Ministers contend the plan will cut the amount of money reaching ransomware criminals from the UK and will dissuade offenders from targeting British organisations. The proposals would codify the Information Commissioner’s Office’s existing advice to the public sector not to pay ransomware demands as standard procedure across all departments and agencies nationwide...

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