Security News > 2022 > February > Ransomware wreaked havoc last year, manufacturing was most targeted

IBM Security released its annual X-Force Threat Intelligence Index unveiling how ransomware and vulnerability exploitations together were able to "Imprison" businesses in 2021 further burdening global supply chains, with manufacturing emerging as the most targeted industry.

While phishing was the most common cause of cyberattacks in general in the past year, there was a 33% increase in attacks caused by vulnerability exploitation of unpatched software, a point of entry that ransomware actors relied on more than any other to carry out their attacks in 2021, representing the cause of 44% of ransomware attacks.

The 2022 report details how in 2021 ransomware actors attempted to "Fracture" the backbone of global supply chains with attacks on manufacturing, which became 2021's most attacked industry, dethroning financial services and insurance after a long reign.

Experiencing more ransomware attacks than any other industry, attackers wagered on the ripple effect that disruption on manufacturing organizations would cause their downstream supply chains to pressure them into paying the ransom.

Ransomware persisted as the top attack method observed in 2021, with ransomware groups showing no sign of stopping, despite the uptick in ransomware takedowns.

Responding to the recent acceleration of ransomware takedowns by law enforcement, ransomware groups may be activating their own disaster recovery plans.

News URL

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2022/02/24/manufacturing-most-targeted-ransomware/