Plenary Session 3: The Homeland Enterprise Now and the Way Ahead

In 2021, authorities, industry, and the public saw a dramatic increase in publicly acknowledged ransomware attacks. From critical infrastructure to healthcare systems to local governments, the attacks are growing more severe and frequent and no sector or industry seems invulnerable to these attacks. Cryptocurrency has been the payment means of choice by many of the attackers, raising questions as to whether cryptocurrency is an enabler of such attacks and what can be done in response. In the case of Colonial Pipeline, the US Government was able to trace and recoup much of the payment. With the rise in ransomware and the adoption of cryptocurrency in the legitimate economy, how should regulators, financial institutions, law enforcement, and the virtual asset community respond? Are there avenues of creative partnership to address these risks, and what can be done to ensure hackers find it more difficult to profit from ransomware?

The Organization of American States works to build peace and justice and defend the sovereignty of the nations of the Western Hemisphere through four pillars - democracy, human rights, security, and development. These pillars are challenged now more than ever and the effects spill over into the US. How can the regional international community rally to address our common issues?

Terrorist attacks prompted by the Taliban resurgence are a rising threat. Violent extremists in Afghanistan (ISIS-K, Al Qaeda, Haqqani Network) could be emboldened to attack regionally given the absence of United States and Afghan security forces in the country. Meanwhile, terrorists and affiliates across the world - including individuals in America - may strike given the inspirational revival of a like-minded militant group and the appearance of a wounded United States.