NCC Group has released its July Threat Pulse, which indicated that in July 2024, global levels of ransomware attacks increased month-on-month (331 to 395) but decreased year-on-year (502 to 395).
Active Threat Actors
According to the report, RansomHub accounted for 43 attacks, up from 27 in June. LockBit 3.0 came in second with 37 attacks, with Akira coming in third at 29 attacks.
Key Takeaways
North America remained the most targeted region, with 56% of total global attacks (220). Europe followed with 21% of attacks (83). Oceania attacks doubled from 10 in June to 22 in July.
Read More: Global Tensions Fuel Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure
The report also shows that the Industrials sector remains the primary target for cyber attacks, representing 34% (125) of all incidents in July. The consumer cyclicals sector experienced the second-highest number of attacks (48), with hotels and entertainment services identified as the most frequently targeted.
On Record
In a recent quote, Ian Usher, Deputy Head of Threat Intelligence at NCC Group, said, “July 2024 has been a stark reminder that the cyber security landscape is as turbulent as ever, marked by a surge in ransomware attacks and the spread of misinformation. The Industrials, Consumer Cyclicals, and Technology sectors have borne the brunt of these attacks, with groups like RansomHub and LockBit 3.0 leading the charge.
“The rise in sophisticated techniques, such as the use of information stealer malware in their pre-attack phase, highlights that cybercriminals are not standing still. As these threats evolve, so must our defences. It’s crucial that we leverage the latest technologies and maintain robust, intelligence-driven security measures to stay ahead, or risk falling behind in this ever-escalating battle.”
