Ransomware victims and threat groups have reached an ‘ all-time high ’
Paessler ’ s global survey reveals cybersecurity , AI and cloud adoption redefine IT professional roles
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Ransomware victims and threat groups have reached an ‘ all-time high ’
G uidePoint Security has released the GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team ’ s ( GRIT ) annual Ransomware & Cyber Threat Report .
The report offers exclusive in-depth research , insights and analysis on the evolving ransomware ecosystem , exploring who cybercriminals are targeting ( and why ), the top tactics threat actors are using and what the future may hold for emerging ransomware groups in 2025 .
“ The GRIT 2025 Ransomware & Cyber Threat Report reveals the resilience and persistence of the ransomware-as-a-service ( RaaS ) model , highlighting the difficulty of disrupting it ,” said Jason Baker , Lead Threat Analyst , GuidePoint Security .
“ From major law enforcement disruptions to group shakeups and new behaviour patterns , 2024 was at times a chaotic year for threat actors – yet ransomware activity and new groups continue to proliferate . Well-resourced defenders , active vulnerability management , attack surface awareness and actionable intelligence remain critical to mitigating information security risks in 2025 .”
Noteworthy findings from this year ’ s report include :
• A record high of ransomware victims , with 1,600 + ransomware victims in Q4 2024 alone – the largest number recorded in a single quarter since the report ’ s inception .
• A 40 % YoY increase in active threat groups , illustrating a continually developing threat landscape . GRIT identified 88 + total active threat groups in 2024 , including 40 newly observed adversaries .
• The United States remains a top geographic target for ransomware attacks . In 2024 , more than half ( 52 %) of ransomware victims were based in the US .
Paessler ’ s global survey reveals cybersecurity , AI and cloud adoption redefine IT professional roles
he role of the IT professional is undergoing a significant
T transformation as organisations face challenges in cybersecurity , AI and cloud adoption , according to a new annual report titled Paessler Perspectives .
Released by Paessler , a leading provider of IT and IoT monitoring solutions , the report reveals that 77 % of IT professionals identify cybersecurity as their top concern , alongside AI ( 34 %) and cloud adoption ( 27 %). The report notes these forces are reshaping the skills , strategies and priorities required of IT .
More than 1,500 global IT leaders were asked to rank their top challenges in the next two to three years . Cybersecurity emerged as a top concern at 77 %, followed by AI ( 34 %) and cloud adoption ( 27 %). IT teams will be increasingly conscious of cyberthreats into 2025 , with a single data breach costing organisations an average of US $ 4.88 million , along with irreparable damage to trust and reputation . The shift to cloud , though mitigating some risks , also introduces its own cybersecurity challenges .
“ IT professionals are navigating a period of unprecedented change as AI reshapes cybersecurity and cloud requirements , and similarly reshapes IT roles , as teams are required to implement and secure AI-driven tools , automate processes , and address the increased complexity of AI-powered environments ,” said Helmut Binder , CEO of Paessler GmbH . “ These changes emphasise the growing need for IT professionals to develop a mix of technical , strategic and cybersecurity skills to keep pace with technological advancements .”
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