Bad actors are using more aggressive and
unscrupulous tactics to acquire personal data and extort
ransoms
TOKYO, April 30,
2024 /CNW/ -- Ransomware and extortion incidents
surged by 67% in 2023, according to NTT Security Holdings recently
released 2024 Global Threat Intelligence Report.
Ransomware and extortion incidents surged
by 67% in 2023 and will continue to soar in 2024 and beyond
Created by NTT Security Holdings Global Threat Intelligence
Center, the report examines cybersecurity trends, provides insights
on the threat landscape, and offers recommendations to help
organizations better protect against cyberattacks.
After a down year in 2022, ransomware and extortion incidents
increased in 2023. More than 5,000 ransomware victims were detected
or posted across multiple social channels up from approximately
3,000 in 2022. These findings are based on NTT Security Holdings
Global Threat Intelligence Center's internal research and by
compiling listings on extortion sites, Telegram channels, and
public reporting and disclosures. The number of victims is likely
higher because the research does not reflect incidents where
ransoms were paid before the listing was made public.
"Our 2023 report highlighted the increase in cyberthreats
affecting day to day life, economic conditions, and privacy," said
Jeremy Nichols, NTT Security
Holdings' Global Threat Intelligence Center director. "We expect
this to soar in 2024 as threat actors create more sophisticated
attacks using artificial intelligence to exploit growing attack
surfaces and take advantage of limited cyber budgets and staff
shortages."
Key insights from the 2024 report
Critical infrastructure, supply chain, and financial services
face the most risk. The top sectors threat actors are attacking
require near perfect uptime because service disruptions can affect
lives, making them more likely to pay a ransom to restore access to
their vital systems and data. Manufacturing topped the list of
attack sectors in 2023 at 25.66% and had the most ransomware
victims posted on social channels with 27.75%.
Ransomware operators and affiliates are using less moral and
ethical tactics to obtain payments. They are targeting sectors
previously considered off limits, including healthcare,
non-profits, and energy companies. They have threatened to release
sensitive medical photos or patient records if ransoms are not
paid.
Small and medium-sized enterprises face the largest challenge
combating cyberthreats. More than 50% of ransomware victims had
less than 200 employees while 66% had less than 500 employees,
according to the research.
Threat actors continue to exploit vulnerabilities and zero days
in the most popular software programs. The list of corporate
software options and new vulnerabilities continues to increase
while malicious software simultaneously evolves, using generative
AI to quickly integrate and exploit high and critical severity
vulnerabilities.
Humans remain the weakest link in cybersecurity, and it is
getting worse. Hybrid cloud environments, bring your own device,
and third-party integrations have expanded the attack surface for
most organizations. Cybersecurity roles and responsibilities are
expanding, cyber budgets are getting slashed, and there are more
tools to complete these responsibilities, increasing staff fatigue
and burnout.
"Organizations are struggling to defend against routine
exploitation, malware, and ransom or extortion threats," added
Nichols. "The predictions and recommendations in our report offer
business and technical leaders a roadmap to make quicker and
informed decisions to improve their security posture as these
threats exponentially escalate."
Access the Full Report
For a comprehensive understanding of the most frequent
cyberattacks, predictions for future attacks, and recommendations
for safeguarding organizations against evolving threats, download
the complete 2024 Global Threat Intelligence Report at
https://www.security.ntt/global-threat-intelligence-report-2024.
About NTT Security Holdings
NTT Security Holdings, a Group company, provides proactive cyber
defense and services that make use of gathered human resources and
intelligence to protect our customers and society. For more than 20
years, our company has helped clients protect their digital
businesses by predicting, detecting, and responding to
cyberthreats, while supporting business innovation and managing
risk. Our SOC, R&D centers and security experts deliver
unsurpassed threat intelligence and handle hundreds of thousands of
security incidents annually. Together, we secure the connected
future.
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SOURCE NTT Security Holdings