“The LockBit ransomware variant, like different main ransomware variants, operates within the ‘ransomware-as-a-service’ (RaaS) mannequin, through which directors, additionally referred to as builders, design the ransomware, recruit different members — referred to as associates — to deploy it, and keep an internet software program dashboard referred to as a ‘management panel’ to offer the associates with the instruments essential to deploy LockBit,” the DOJ press launch mentioned.