After a record-breaking year for ransomware in 2023, the threat grew in 2024 despite interventions from law enforcement. Notably, ransomware attacks targeted healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure, resulting in one of the largest data breaches in the US. The Alphv/BlackCat ransomware gang was a significant player, while the LockBit ransomware gang was significantly disrupted by Operation Cronos. A new threat, RansomHub, emerged as the most active ransomware gang towards the end of the year.
AI-powered malware could breach security systems in seconds: NATO-backed start-up
Kines warned that AI-powered security tools alone cannot counter AI-driven malware. A multi-layered defense strategy, blending AI-enhanced detection systems with network segmentation tools, is necessary.