A new report from cybersecurity firm Cyberint has shed light on the evolution, impact, and notable trends observed in the ransomware space over the past twelve months.

Unfortunately, last year was the most triumphant year for ransomware groups in history, 2023 witnessed a staggering surge of 55.5% in the number of victims compared to the preceding year. The report discloses that a total of 4,368 victims fell prey to ransomware attacks during this period, signifying a notable escalation from the figures recorded in 2022.

Prominent groups, such as LockBit3.0, ALPHV, and Clop, played pivotal roles in this surge, collectively amassing over 1,800 victims. Simultaneously, emerging groups like 8Base, Play, BianLian, and Akira made their presence felt, collectively contributing to the unsettling rise in ransomware attacks.

The MOVEit campaign emerged as the most impactful, spotlighting the potentially devastating consequences of supply chain attacks and underscoring the critical need for dedicated supply chain security protocols.

The United States emerged as the primary global target of ransomware attacks, bearing the brunt of 64% of all cases. Among the sectors, business services took the lead with 1,265 cases, closely followed by retail and manufacturing. Data from the last quarter of 2023 alone documented 1,154 ransomware incidents worldwide.

Looking ahead, 2024 is forecasted to be an even more challenging year, with veteran groups and newcomers like Akira, Play, and 8Base anticipated to play dominant roles.

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Yochai Corem, CEO of Cyberint, commented on the report’s findings, saying: “2023 has been a defining year for the ransomware landscape, with supply chain attacks causing unprecedented disruption and ransomware incidents rising by more than 50%.

“To meet the predicted rise in ransomware threats, more proactive, accurate and comprehensive solutions are needed. Businesses must adopt holistic approaches based on innovative intelligence to reduce risk and fight ransomware threats.”