Ransomware and Cyber-extortion Trends in Q4 2023

## Executive Summary: The report analyzes a marked increase in ransomware activity during Q4 2023, detailing threat actors (ALPHV/BlackCat, LockBit, Play, Clop, NoEscape), exploitation of critical public-facing vulnerabilities (e.g., Citrix Bleed, NetScaler, MOVEit), widespread use of RaaS and data-leak sites, and emergent extortion tactics (including leveraging SEC disclosures) that raise the risk to organizations across multiple sectors and regions.