The Treasury Department announced that the United States will partner with Israel to combat ransomware, with the two countries launching a joint task force to address cybersecurity.
The task force will develop a memorandum of understanding supporting information sharing related to the financial sector, including cybersecurity regulations and threat intelligence.
The partnership follows measures taken to combat a surge in ransomware that has struck several big US companies, including an attack on the largest fuel pipeline in the United States that crippled fuel delivery for several days.
The announcement follows a virtual meeting on ransomware that was held at the White House in October with the European Union and more than 30 countries, including Israel.
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo met with Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Director General of the National Cyber Directorate Yigal Unna in Israel on Sunday to establish a bilateral partnership.
A broader U.S.-Israeli task force was also launched on Sunday to address issues related to fintech and cybersecurity, the Treasury Department said.
