According to a Cyble report, ransomware threats will increase in 2023, with the number of incidents increasing from 2,200 in 2022 to 4,200 in 2023. 117 counties were attacked, with the majority targeting the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Italy. In 2023, 65% of attacks will occur in these countries, with the United States having the most incidents.
All industries were targeted by ransomware attacks in 2023, but the professional services, manufacturing, and construction sectors were the most attacked. Meanwhile, the healthcare, transportation and logistics, and energy and utilities sectors faced the most serious incidents.
Prominent ransomware groups accounted for 42% of attacks, but 32 new groups emerged. Many groups carried out aggressive extortion tactics, weaponizing cybersecurity regulations to damage organizations' reputations and pressure them into paying ransoms.
Ransomware attacks have been on the rise, and law enforcement has been able to gain control of the operations of groups like Hive and RagnarLocker. Many ransomware groups have struggled to maintain brand sustainability in the face of declining ransom payments and increased law enforcement pressure, leading to groups shifting from encryption to extortion. I'm being pushed into a corner.
For more information, read Cyble's research report here.
