The Latest Ransomware Attacks: Trends, Impacts, and How to Defend in 2024

Ransomware attacks have evolved from a disruptive nuisance into a strategic threat that targets not just data but trust, operations, and the reputations of organizations across every sector. In 2024, security teams are contending with faster encryption, broader data exfiltration, and increasingly aggressive negotiation tactics. The good news is that with a clear understanding of how these attacks unfold and how to prepare, organizations can reduce risk, shorten recovery times, and limit the damage when the worst happens.

Understanding the current landscape

Two shifts dominate the modern ransomware environment. First, attackers frequently pair encryption with data theft and public release. This double extortion means victims face not only disruption and downtime but the risk of regulatory penalties, customer churn, and competitive harm if sensitive information becomes public. Second, adversaries increasingly move like service providers, licensing the most effective tools, playbooks, and infrastructure through ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) networks. This lowers barriers to entry and lets skilled operators target a wide range of victims.

Another trend is the blurring of lines between ransomware and data breach activity. Some groups blend traditional ransomware with information-stealing capabilities, initial access brokers, and supply-chain manipulation. This makes it harder to classify an incident as purely “ransomware” and emphasizes the importance of broad detection, rapid containment, and a coordinated response across IT, security, legal, and communications teams.

Recent notable incidents and what they taught us

While no organization is immune, several patterns emerged from high-profile events in 2023 and 2024 that remain instructive for defenders today:

Move to supply chain and data exfiltration: Attacks against widely used file transfer and software systems exposed the fragility of interconnected ecosystems. When a third-party tool is compromised, dozens or hundreds of customers can be affected within hours, making supplier risk management and rapid containment essential.
Double extortion at scale: Multiple groups increasingly publish or auction stolen data to maximize leverage. The threat of public data leakage amplifies the pressure on victims to pay and complicates decisions for data custodians under regulatory scrutiny.
RaaS-driven campaigns: As operators rely on as-a-service models, the ability to hire specialized payloads, esp. for initial access and lateral movement, accelerates campaign timelines. Organizations face shorter windows to detect infiltration before encryption or exfiltration completes.
Targeted sectors remain under pressure: Healthcare, local government, education, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure are repeatedly targeted due to valuable data and the potential to disrupt services people depend on daily.
Recovery planning matters just as much as prevention: The most resilient teams invest in backups, tabletop exercises, and clear playbooks that guide decision-making in the chaos of an incident.

Where attackers typically gain access

Understanding common entry points helps organizations harden defenses and detect suspicious activity earlier. The list below reflects current realities:

Phishing and social engineering: Infected attachments or malicious links remain a reliable initial access method, especially when combined with credential harvesting.
Remote access and weak credentials: Unsecured or poorly protected remote desktop protocols, VPNs, and exposed admin portals invite brute-force and credential stuffing attempts.
Vulnerable software and supply chain gaps: Unpatched software, misconfigured systems, and vulnerable third-party tools create easy routes for attackers to move laterally.
Insider risk: Either malicious insiders or compromised accounts can bypass some controls and accelerate the spread of ransomware within a network.
Lateral movement and privilege escalation: Once inside, attackers seek high-value targets, establish footholds, and escalate permissions to maximize impact.

What this means for defense: best practices that deliver results

Defending against ransomware requires a layered approach that aligns technology, processes, and people. The following practices have repeatedly proven effective for many organizations regardless of sector:

Backups that survive a raid: Implement 3-2-1 or 3-2-1-1 backups (three copies, two different media, one offline or air-gapped), and regularly test restore procedures. Ensure critical data can be recovered quickly without paying ransoms.
Network segmentation and role-based access: Limit lateral movement by segmenting networks, enforcing least-privilege access, and enforcing strong authentication for privileged accounts.
Patch management and hardening: Maintain a robust patch cadence for operating systems, applications, and firmware. Disable or remove unnecessary services and minimize exposed attack surfaces.
Zero trust and continuous monitoring: Treat every connection as untrusted by default. Use behavior-based detection, anomaly monitoring, and automated containment when suspicious activity is detected.
Multi-factor authentication everywhere: MFA should protect remote access, email, and admin interfaces to significantly reduce credential-based breaches.
Incident response planning: Develop and rehearse an IR plan that defines roles, communication channels, decision criteria, and escalation paths. A tested plan can cut recovery time dramatically.
Security awareness training: Regular, realistic phishing simulations and practical guidance help employees recognize and report threats before they escalate.
Third-party risk management: Vet vendors, require security posture attestations, and monitor supplier risk as part of ongoing risk programs.
Endpoint protection and EDR/XDR: Deploy endpoint detection and response, coupled with extended detection and response across networks and cloud environments.
Communication and governance: Establish clear external and internal communication strategies to maintain trust and comply with regulatory or contractual obligations during an incident.

Immediate steps if you suspect a ransomware incident

When a suspected ransomware event occurs, time matters. Consider these actions to minimize damage while coordinating with authorities and leadership:

Isolate affected systems to prevent further spread, but avoid unplugging critical servers that could erase forensic evidence.
Preserve volatile data (RAM captures, running processes) if forensics capabilities are available.
Notify the incident response team and executive leadership, and begin documenting all actions for post-incident review.
Engage legal, compliance, and communications teams early to navigate regulatory obligations and stakeholder communications.
Work with a trusted cyber incident response partner if in-house capabilities are insufficient. Avoid paying ransom unless advised by qualified counsel and regulatory guidance.

How small and mid-sized organizations can stay resilient

Not every business has the same resources as a large enterprise, but resilience is achievable with focused investments and smart routines. Consider these practical steps tailored to smaller teams:

Prioritize backups and offline storage for critical data, including customer records and financial information.
Automate routine security tasks where possible, such as patch scans and credential hygiene checks, to maintain consistency without heavy manual effort.
Adopt MFA across all cloud services and remote access points to dramatically reduce credential theft risk.
Implement simple, repeatable IR playbooks and run quarterly exercises to keep the team prepared.
Share threat intelligence with peers in your sector to learn from others’ experiences and adjustments.

Regulatory and insurance considerations

Ransomware touches legal and financial dimensions as well. Organizations should stay current with sector-specific guidance on data breach notification, data protection requirements, and incident reporting timelines. Cyber insurance policies often outline conditions for coverage, including the need for an established incident response plan, verified backups, and approved responders. Aligning security controls with policy requirements can streamline claims and reduce out-of-pocket costs after an incident.

Outlook: what to expect in the next 12 to 24 months

Experts expect ransomware to stay a top risk, with attackers refining their use of automation, supply-chain exploits, and data exfiltration. Defenders will likely continue focusing on security hygiene, faster detection, and programmatic responses. The most effective organizations will blend proactive defense with disciplined recovery, turning a potential crisis into an opportunity to strengthen governance, technology, and people readiness. In short, resilience will become a core business capability, not a technical afterthought.

Conclusion

Ransomware attacks are not a single problem to “solve” once; they are an ongoing risk that requires consistent attention, cross-functional coordination, and a culture of security. By understanding how attackers operate today, prioritizing robust backups, reducing attack surfaces, and rehearsing incident response, organizations can limit both the probability and impact of an incident. The latest ransomware attacks show that prevention alone is insufficient; preparation and resilience are the smartest investments a modern organization can make.