Ransomware attacks double in Q2

Criminal groups change strategies to maximise impact.

  • Friday, 16th August 2024 Posted 4 months ago in by Phil Alsop

Dragos has revealed that ransomware incidents almost doubled in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter, indicating a significant resurgence of the ransomware threat.

The threat intelligence team at Dragos analysed ransomware data from various sources, including public reports and dark websites, to provide insights into the trends, patterns, and observations of ransomware activity targeting industrial sectors.

They found that the industrial sector remains a prime target for criminal groups due to the critical nature of its operations and the potentially high impact of disruptions. Ransomware's impact on industrial organisations has also increased, with ransomware groups focusing on high-impact operators to maximize their profits.

Some key developments this quarter include:

The number of ransomware incidents almost doubled in the second quarter compared to the first quarter, with 312 observed incidents globally.

Ransomware groups demonstrated significant resilience and adaptability, with some groups rebranding and others emerging with new tactics and techniques.

The manufacturing sector was the most affected, with 210 observed incidents, accounting for approximately 67 percent of all ransomware incidents.

The Lockbit group was behind most attacks against industrial organizations, with approximately 21 percent (or 66 incidents) of observed ransomware events.

Approximately 26 percent of global ransomware incidents (82 in total) impacted Europe.

Among the 86 ransomware groups known for targeting industrial organizations, 29 remained active in the second quarter compared to 22 ransomware groups in the first quarter of 2024. However, the second quarter saw a resurgence with several rebranded groups and new entrants in the ransomware landscape. Groups such as BlackSuit (formerly Royal ransomware) and RansomHub (previously Knight ransomware) have shown notable activity, leveraging sophisticated tactics and techniques to enhance their operations.

The team at Dragos also provided recommendations for industrial organisations to enhance their cybersecurity posture and mitigate the risk of ransomware attacks, such as implementing the five critical controls recommended by the SANS Institute.

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), the global industry body dedicated to driving the seamless and interoperable service experience of Wi-Fi...
Annual usage data from O’Reilly’s online learning platform provides business leaders with the top tech trends and tools poised to shape business...
UK businesses face 23 digital incidents on average per year but roadblocks are preventing proper triage and prevention measures.
For years, proof of identity relied solely on physical documents like passports or driver's licenses. However, the rise of new technologies has...

Dataiku unveils 2025 GenAI Trends Report

Posted 10 hours ago by Phil Alsop
Discover five transformative trends that will shape the enterprise AI landscape, based on input from over 600 data, analytics, IT, and C-suite...

Phishing clicks nearly tripled in 2024

Posted 2 days ago by Phil Alsop
New research details rising enterprise cloud security risks, successful strategies adopted to manage genAI risks in 2024.
With profitability a major focus, MSPs are optimistic about growing their businesses in 2025.
Collaboration with Exponential-e will strengthen the university’s cyber security capabilities as part of its long-term cyber strategy.