British crimefighter honored for role in LockBit takedown

According to The Register, Gavin Webb, a senior official at the National Crime Agency (NCA), has been recognized with a high public service award for his leadership in the significant 2024 LockBit ransomware disruption.

Webb, 51, received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award for his strategic coordinating role in Operation Cronos, the international law enforcement effort that dismantled the LockBit ransomware-as-a-service platform. While not a hands-on cyber expert, Webb was instrumental in orchestrating the complex operation, ensuring seamless collaboration among multiple international and domestic policing forces.

LockBit was a dominant RaaS platform between 2023 and 2024, responsible for a quarter of all ransomware attacks and causing billions of dollars in damage. Webb's leadership was crucial in coordinating the intricate steps required to infiltrate and disrupt LockBit's infrastructure. The recognition of Webb and several other NCA officers highlights the significant impact of coordinated international efforts against major cybercrime threats.

Source: The Register