Financial Crime World

Costa Rica to Receive $25 Million in Cybersecurity Funding from US Government

The United States government has announced that it will provide Costa Rica with $25 million in financial assistance to bolster its cybersecurity efforts, nearly a year after the country was hit by a series of devastating ransomware attacks linked to a Russian-cybercrime group.

Request Made by President Rodrigo Chaves

According to a senior administration official, the funding request was made directly by President Rodrigo Chaves to President Biden. The official described it as “a reflection of the president’s broader efforts to help partners build secure, open, and reliable digital infrastructure around the world.”

Funding to Support Network Security Efforts

The $25 million in funding will support Costa Rica’s efforts to secure its networks and protect critical infrastructure.

  • This announcement comes just a month after the US Ambassador to Albania announced a $25 million grant to that country in response to Iranian cyberattacks targeting Albanian government and private networks.
  • Costa Rica has also applied to join the Counter Ransomware Initiative launched last year.

Background on Recent Cybersecurity Attacks

One of President Chaves’ first official acts after taking office was to declare a national emergency following the Conti ransomware attack on multiple government agencies, which pilfered over 672 gigabytes of information. The US State Department had earlier announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the identification or location of anyone involved with Conti.

  • The attacks hobbled critical services in Costa Rica, including tax collection systems and medical appointments.
  • In response, the US government has emphasized the importance of supporting allies and partners’ security efforts, particularly in light of recent Russian cyberattacks on European targets and China’s growing influence in Latin America.

Significance of Attacks and Funding

The significance of the attacks on Costa Rica, which included a public declaration of support for the Russian government by Conti, was cited as a factor in the US decision to provide funding.

  • The announcement came as President Biden opened the second Summit for Democracy alongside leaders from Costa Rica, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, and Zambia.
  • The event highlighted the global importance of cybersecurity and digital infrastructure in the face of growing cyber threats.