ChainCatcher news, according to Protos, the UK Home Office has released a consultation plan, proposing to ban public sector organizations (including schools and the NHS) from paying cryptocurrency ransoms to cybercriminals, aiming to reduce the risk of these institutions becoming targets for hackers.According to the latest data, the amount paid globally to ransomware criminals in 2023 is approximately $1 billion, and the UK government states that action must be taken to protect national security.