Ransomware Attacks Increase 151 Percent, Russia Is Accused Of Providing Protection

Ransomware attacks continue to increase from year to year. (photo; pixabay)

JAKARTA – Global ransomware attacks increased 151% in the first half of 2021 compared to 2020. Hackers will become even more aggressive now, Canada's signal intelligence agency said Monday, December 6.

The Security Communications Establishment (CSE), citing attacks on North American healthcare facilities and a US pipeline, said the scale and scope of the ransomware operators represented security and economic risk to Canada and its allies.

"Ransomware operators are likely to become increasingly aggressive in their targeting, including against critical infrastructure," said a report released by the Canadian Center for Cyber ​​Security, a unit of the CSE, quoted by Reuters.

The agency said it was aware of 235 ransomware incidents against victims in Canada from January 1 to November 16 this year. More than half of these victims are critical infrastructure providers.

By 2021, the global average total recovery costs from ransomware incidents will more than double to USD 1.8 million.

"Ransom payments are likely to strike a market balance, where cybercriminals are becoming better at aligning their demands with what their victims are likely to pay," the CSE said.

The agency reiterated earlier statements that actors in Russia, China, and Iran pose a major threat to cybersecurity.

"Russian intelligence and law enforcement agencies almost certainly maintain ties to cybercriminals, whether through association or recruitment, and allow them to operate with almost impunity as long as they focus their attacks on targets located outside Russia," he said.