Date of Event: November 12–13, 2024
Event: Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Americas 2024
Michael Hochman, Chief of Staff at the Office of the National Cyber Director, delivered an impactful keynote at GASS Americas 2024. Representing the White House, Hochman outlined the U.S. government’s evolving strategy to address the growing menace of online scams, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility across public and private sectors.
Key Themes and Insights
Hochman began by highlighting the alarming rise in scam-related losses, with fraud costs increasing nearly 15-fold since 2014. He underscored the urgency of a comprehensive approach to mitigate risks, guided by the principles of the National Cybersecurity Strategy.
Shift in Responsibility:
The U.S. government is actively rebalancing cybersecurity responsibility, shifting the burden away from individuals to organizations best equipped to mitigate risks. This includes federal agencies, private companies, and global partners working in tandem to bolster resilience against cyber-enabled fraud.
Key Initiatives:
National Coordination: The National Cybersecurity Strategy fosters interagency collaboration, with the FBI, Secret Service, and Department of Justice leading successful campaigns like cryptocurrency seizures and the "Take a Beat" fraud awareness initiative.
Learning from Global Success: Hochman praised the UK's customer authentication system, Australia's National Anti-Scam Center, and Singapore's Anti-Scam Command as models for reducing fraud through innovative and collaborative measures.
Public Awareness: Enhancing public education campaigns to empower individuals with tools to recognize and report scams remains a critical goal.
Collaboration at the Forefront:
Hochman emphasized the need for robust international partnerships and stronger public-private collaboration. Initiatives like the Counter Ransomware Initiative serve as blueprints for combating transnational cybercrime, fostering coordinated efforts across borders.
Looking Ahead
Hochman called on stakeholders to sustain and expand these efforts, urging governments, private enterprises, and international allies to unite in the fight against online scams. With a shared commitment to innovation and security, the global community can turn the tide on this pervasive threat.
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