Check Point Software unveils its 2024 security report

Check Point Research (CPR), the threat intelligence division of Check Point Software Technologies, has unveiled its 2024 Cyber Security Report.

This year’s edition delves into the escalating intricacy of cyber-threats, focusing notably on the substantial increase in ransomware incidents and the strategic incorporation of AI in cybersecurity defences.

Amidst a year characterised by substantial cyber upheaval, the report underscores a staggering 90% increase in publicly extorted victims of ransomware attacks.

Such incidents now represent 10% of all malware detected by the company’s sensors.

The Check Point Incident Response Team (CPIRT) has noted that nearly half of their cases involve ransomware, with the number of publicly disclosed victims soaring to approximately 5,000, doubling from the previous year.

Key insights from Check Point:

• Ransomware advancements: Attackers have honed their tactics, exploiting zero day vulnerabilities and augmenting Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) with novel extortion methods. This trend highlights the escalating threat to high value targets, emphasising the critical importance of robust defence mechanisms

• Targeting edge devices: The report identifies a growing trend in attacks targeting edge devices, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive security measures encompassing all network components

• Escalation in hacktivism: State supported hacktivism has surged, with notable increases in cyber-activities linked to geopolitical tensions. The utilisation of destructive wipers for maximum impact underscores the evolving landscape of cyber-warfare

“Proactively fostering collaboration”

Maya Horowitz, VP of Research, Check Point remarked: “In an era of relentless innovation in cyber-crime and accumulating tensions involving nation state threat actors and hacktivists globally, organisations must adapt.

“Investing in stronger defences with robust AI-powered and cloud-delivered cybersecurity measures and proactively fostering collaboration, is key to effectively safeguarding against these evolving dangers.” 

The 2024 Cyber Security Report serves as a vital resource for organisations, policymakers and cybersecurity professionals, offering comprehensive insights into attack patterns and actionable guidance for enhancing cyber-resilience.

The findings are derived from data sourced from the Check Point ThreatCloud AI Cyber-Threat Map, which analyses the key tactics employed by cyber-criminals in executing their attacks.

The full report is accessible here.