A potentially devastating ransomware attack on Costa Rica’s largest oil refinery last November tested the U.S. State Department’s new rapid response cybersecurity program, FALCON (Foreign Assistance Leveraged for Cybersecurity Operational Needs). This incident marked the first real-world application of the program, showcasing the United States’ ability to provide swift, decisive aid to its allies during a cyber crisis.
The Genesis of FALCON: Rapid Response in Action
The FALCON program is designed to leverage top-tier private-sector cybersecurity capabilities and deploy them in collaboration with federal personnel to aid U.S. allies facing cyber threats. Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nate Fick emphasized that the program’s goal is to respond within 48 hours of a request for assistance—an ambitious timeline met in this inaugural case.
Fick noted that within hours of Costa Rica’s request, his team was coordinating with Costa Rican officials. By Thanksgiving morning, U.S. personnel and contractors were en route to San José, arriving that afternoon to join Costa Rican experts in combating the ransomware attack.
Details of the RECOPE Attack
The ransomware attack targeted the state-run Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (RECOPE), which manages the country’s fossil fuel imports, pipelines, and distribution. The attackers, later identified as the prolific RansomHub gang, exploited a phishing email to infiltrate RECOPE’s systems months before the attack. The group demanded $5 million to restore access to critical systems, threatening to sell locked data on the dark web if their demands were not met. Costa Rica’s government, adhering to a strict policy against paying ransoms, refused.
The cyberattack disrupted RECOPE’s administrative systems for days, forcing payment processes to be handled manually and causing oil carriers to queue at gas stations. Although public panic ensued, Costa Rican officials assured citizens that reserves were sufficient and the crisis was under control.
How FALCON Made a Difference
The FALCON team worked for 10 days on-site, followed by several weeks of remote support. Their tasks included:
- Identifying the attack vector and removing the ransomware actor from RECOPE’s systems.
- Restoring data from backups.
- Strengthening the refinery’s cybersecurity defenses to prevent future breaches.
FALCON’s intervention cost approximately $500,000, a small portion of the program’s $10 million fund. According to Paula Bogantes Zamora, Costa Rica’s Minister of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications, U.S. forensic expertise was critical in identifying the nature of the attack and coordinating a swift response.
Global Implications of the Attack
This cyber incident highlights Costa Rica’s growing status as a strategic U.S. partner on cyber and technology issues. After suffering a series of ransomware attacks in 2022 by the Russia-linked Conti group, Costa Rica has worked to enhance its cybersecurity posture with $25 million in U.S. aid. The collaboration has also positioned Costa Rica as a regional advocate for the Biden administration’s Counter-Ransomware Initiative.
Recent reports of cyber threats from Chinese actors targeting Costa Rican telecommunications systems further underscore the nation’s vulnerability and the need for robust defenses.
A Model for the Future
FALCON’s success in Costa Rica has drawn attention from other nations in Latin America. Officials from several countries have expressed interest in similar collaborations to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure. Ambassador Fick called the operation “digital solidarity in action,” showcasing the unique value of a U.S. program capable of both identifying and remediating cyber threats.
Fick also stressed the importance of continuing the program under the incoming administration, stating that its role in strengthening U.S. global tech leadership is invaluable. Discussions about expanding FALCON and other cyber initiatives are already underway on Capitol Hill and within federal agencies like the FBI.
The Road Ahead
In addition to the Costa Rica deployment, the FALCON program has begun pursuing other efforts, such as:
- Collaborating with the Vietnamese government on training related to North Korean cyber threats.
- Supporting the installation of subsea cables in vulnerable regions like Tuvalu to improve internet connectivity and security.
Bogantes Zamora expressed confidence in the program’s longevity, citing its transformative impact on her nation’s cybersecurity capabilities. “The U.S. has some of the best cybersecurity agencies in the world,” she said. “Knowing we have their support helps me sleep better.”
A Template for Global Cybersecurity Cooperation
The Costa Rica refinery attack serves as a powerful example of how international cooperation can mitigate the growing threat of ransomware. Programs like FALCON not only demonstrate America’s commitment to its allies but also establish a precedent for collaborative cybersecurity responses in an increasingly connected world. By blending rapid deployment with technical expertise, the United States is shaping the global conversation on digital solidarity and the future of cyber defense.
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