Following an article by Danka Delić in ‘The Latest UK Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Statistics 2024 (proprivacy.com) ‘, there is no doubt that cyber crime is on the rise with no nation being excused from an attack.

As per the report in Human Risk Review 2023 by SoSafe it is highlighted that 1 in 2 organisations has experienced a cyber attack in the past 3 years, with the main departments under attack being IT, Finance, and Security; over 39% of ransomware attacks have been successful; and approximately 47% of small organisations have faced ransomware attacks where they paid for the ransomware. So, what are the trends? With cyber criminals adapting their tactics, there is no doubt that it has become increasingly difficult to recognise a scam right away; however, trends have been seen whereby cyber criminals target on the basis of geopolitics and AI advancements (see Data Breaches and Vulnerabilities within an Organisation-A Tech News Thursday Article for further reference).

How does this apply to nations across the world?

It was announced earlier this week that a coalition of law enforcement agencies in 11 countries (including the National Crime Agency in the UK) had taken control of computers and software at the heart of the world’s most prolific ransomware group, Lockbit, giving victims hope that they won’t be forced to make ransom payments to recover data stolen from their computer systems.

Who is Lockbit, and why was it important to take their operation down?

As discussed in Lockbit ransomware gang’s origins, tactics and past targets – and what next after policing breakthrough by Jake Levison for Sky News, the cybercriminal group makes money by stealing sensitive data and threatening to leak it if victims fail to pay an extortionate ransom. It has been said that US officials have described the group as “the world’s top ransomware threat” as they targeted nearly every industry, from financial services and food to schools, transportation, and government departments around the globe. This ultimately means that the group had a significant amount of power within the sector and, more or less, had the capability to influence smaller crime groups to follow in their footsteps (see Will Law Firms be at risk of becoming Victims to Hackers? A Tech News Thursday Article for further reference).

Do you think nations should tackle cyber threats as a collaborative group more often?

See also:

Human Risk Review 2023 | SoSafe (sosafe-awareness.com)

11-nation operation takes down world’s ‘most harmful’ cybercriminal group (msn.com)

1-Lockbit cybercrime gang faces global takedown with indictments and arrests (msn.com)

Allen & Overy data hit by hackers in ransomware attack (ft.com)

Beware of the Festive Scams – A Tech News Thursday Article | LinkedIn

Fraud expert warns of common scams cybercriminals use at Christmas – Chronicle Live

Matthew Hardy: Stalker jailed for harassing women on Instagram by Hacking – BBC News