UK ransomware payment ban will include exemptions
03/12/2025 | Infosecurity Magazine
The UK government’s proposed legislative ban on ransomware payments for public sector and critical national infrastructure (CNI) organisations will include national security exemptions, according to Security Minister Dan Jarvis. Speaking at the Financial Times Cyber Resilience Summit, Jarvis confirmed the ban remains a priority and is progressing, but its adoption depends on parliamentary time.
The proposed ban, which followed an earlier consultation, aims to replace the current system, which the Minister called "not sustainable" as it offers no guarantee of data recovery. The government acknowledged warnings about potentially harmful consequences for UK businesses, leading to the inclusion of exemptions. Jarvis clarified, "we don’t want people to be facing an invidious choice between a hospital shutting down or going to jail." The government is also consulting with CNI and the private sector while discussing similar bans with Five Eyes and G7 allies.
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