(Kaspersky Labs, Contrast Security, Aperio Systems, Exabeam, Arctic Wolf, TrapX Security, enSilo, Netskope, Fidelis Security) Ransomware will continue to increase, evolve, get stealthier and use automation to attack the cloud, medical devices like MRI machines pace makers, critical infrastructure and mission-critical servers. It is a superior “economic model” for cyber criminals, since organizations understand that it would cost a small fortune to shut down an entire operation, so they are more likely to give in to the extortion.
“Ransomworms” will also rise – malware that not only encrypts files but leaves code in place to guarantee some repeat business.
However, the unlikely “trust” relationship between ransomware victims and attackers – based on the assumption that payment will result in the return of data – will decline as a lesser grade of criminal enters the space.