Opinion: FBI to Baltimore area businesses: Partner with us to protect against cyberattacks

There is an increasing urgency for U.S. companies and organizations to partner with the FBI to effectively protect their information, technology, trade secrets and research from the growing cyber threat. Over the past several years, cybercriminal’s use of ransomware has had the most visible, direct impact on industries the U.S. government considers critical infrastructure. Their assets, systems and networks are so vital, losing them would debilitate national security, economic security and public health or safety. Nothing appears to be off-limits for these cybercriminals, including children’s hospitals. Ransomware is exactly what it sounds like — hackers stealing someone’s data and holding it hostage for payment.