Ransomware Runs Rampant in 2021

2021 was a perfect storm for cybercriminals: a historical shift in organizational practices resulted in exponentially greater attack surfaces. 

According to the SonicWall Cyber Threat Report, the world has seen a 62% increase in ransomware since 2019. To give a general idea of the current ransomware threat, here are some key stats: 

• 2.5 billion malware attacks 
• 2.1 million encrypted threats
• 2.5 trillion intrusion attempts 
• 304.7 million ransomware attacks 
• 51.1 million cryptojacking (the act of hijacking a computer to mine cryptocurrencies against the users will) attacks
• 32.2 million Internet of Things (loT) malware attacks 

So what do these increasing statistics really mean? How do they play into the evolving threat landscape as we head into 2022? Let’s take a look at some of the major “big picture” findings of the SonicWall report: 

• Ryuk ransomware came roaring onto the scene and appears to be here to stay. And by roaring onto the scene, here’s what we mean: there were 109.9 million cases detected worldwide, with a detection logged nearly every 8 seconds in September alone.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has played a crucial role in the rise of ransomware in recent years. A sudden increase in the work-from-home population created new opportunities for threat actors to enter networks. Organizations are still fighting to control increased vulnerabilities with the new work-from-home reality. 
• Cyber actors operate with no code of ethics: there is no predicting their attack methods or attack targets. Assume your organization is a target, no matter your industry or organization size. 
• Threats are evolving at an alarming rate as technology evolves at an unprecedented pace. Experts are seeing threats happening now that were predicted to be 2-3 years away, meaning cybercriminals are evolving faster than initially anticipated.

As we welcome a new year, understand that your organization must stay vigilant to threat actors. We know that we sound like a broken record, but make sure your organization is working with a qualified MSP and that you have a preventative cybersecurity plan in place. Ransomware is not predicted to slow down anytime soon.

If PK Tech can support your business in 2022, let’s chat. We serve several industries of different sizes and scopes within the Greater Phoenix Area. Get in touch with us here.