Security Awareness – Report Identifies Ransomware Threat Actors Preferred Targets

The cybersecurity firm Barracuda recently published its annual threat research report, which examined ransomware attack patterns to determine the most targeted industries. The report analyzed 106 publicized ransomware attacks between August 2021 and July 2022 and found critical infrastructure and municipalities were among the top five industries targeted, along with the financial, healthcare, and education sectors.

Notably, the report revealed attacks on critical infrastructure quadrupled from the year prior. Additionally, the amount of ransomware attacks increased year-over-year across each of the five industry verticals, and attacks targeting other sectors more than doubled compared to last year’s report. According to the study, municipalities made up 12 percent of all attacks and critical infrastructure comprised 8 percent. The report also examined the other industries, not in the top five, being targeted. It found technology service providers experienced the most attacks. For more information on defending against ransomware attacks, members are encouraged to visit StopRansomware.gov. Access the full report at Barracuda or read a relevant article at HelpNetSecurity.