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Asked by ABC News whether the seizure would really operate as a deterrent for other hacking groups given it only amounts to roughly half of what Colonial paid in ransom and, given the group operates out of Russia, will not likely face criminal consequences for the attack -- Monaco said she \"wouldn't get ahead of the investigative efforts and full consequences associated with the ongoing investigation.

\"The message today is we will bring all of our tools to bear, to go after these criminal networks, including the ecosystem and the illicit and the abuse, frankly, of the online infrastructure that they use in terms of the digital currency to perpetrate these schemes,\" she said.

Monaco also used Monday's announcement to urge companies to take preemptive action.

\"In this heightened threat landscape, we all have a role to play in keeping our nation safe. No organization is immune. So today I want to emphasize to leaders of corporations and communities alike, the threat of severe ransomware attacks pose a clear and present danger to your organization, to your company, to your customers, to your shareholders, and to your long-term success,\" she warned.

\"So pay attention now. Invest resources now. Failure to do so could be the difference between being secure now, or a victim later,\" she said.

In an effort to get more cooperation from companies, the Department of Homeland Security announced shortly after Colonial Pipeline was hacked that it will mandate that all pipeline companies report a cyber incident hours after it happens.

The directive came from the Transportation Security Administration, an arm of DHS known for protecting the skies that also oversees pipeline security.

Companies will be mandated to report pipeline related cyberattacks to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Administration within 12 hours of the breach; put in place a 24/7 cyber coordinator who can respond to incidents and coordinate with the TSA; and fix the breached pipeline within 30 days and outline a plan to proceed.

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