Ransomware Has Changed and Your Defenses Need to Change With It

This report explains that ransomware has evolved from simple file-encryption malware into a business-disruption model that leverages stolen identities, social engineering, rapid vulnerability exploitation, and attacks on backup and recovery systems; it highlights active groups and operational trends and recommends prioritized defenses such as phishing-resistant MFA, stricter help-desk verification, fast patching of internet-facing systems, immutable and tested backups, network segmentation, and cross-functional tabletop exercises.