Ever wonder what would happen if paying cyber ransom demands was flat-out illegal?

In this lively new installment of Cyber After Hours—S1E14, “Should Governments Make It Illegal to Pay Cyber Extortion Demands?”—we explore exactly that.

Our guest is Ross, a dynamic entrepreneur operating in stealth mode, who adds fresh perspective (and a few laughs) to the conversation.

We share everything from goofy phishing scams promising toothbrush rewards to serious cautionary tales involving Uber and Equifax.

We dig into the controversial issue of banning ransomware payments, asking if companies should be forced to fend off attackers without cutting that check.

Real-world experiences and high-profile cases reveal the dangers of flawed decryption keys, repeated attacks, and the temptation to rely on quick fixes instead of building stronger defenses.

Ross’ entrepreneurial insights show why cybersecurity investments might be a better bet than gambling on a criminal’s word.

We also explore how government incentives and cyber insurance could reshape security strategies, pushing organizations to harden their defenses rather than pay their way out of trouble.

The parallels between cybersecurity and healthcare come into focus, highlighting why threat visibility and information sharing are so crucial.

Throughout the episode, we touch on the often-overlooked risks in operational technology and celebrate the growing influence of Chief Information Security Officers.

Their leadership—and the rise of trusted information-sharing networks—could spell a more secure future.

But it’s a team effort: everyone from executives to engineers plays a role in making it happen.

Join us for an engaging discussion that blends humor, entrepreneurship, and real talk about the crossroads of innovation and cybersecurity.

Tune in to Cyber After Hours to see how these stories and perspectives might just shape the way we tackle cyber threats moving forward.

Thank you for watching / listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn: - Evan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmorgan/ - Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pm01/