Initial Access Brokers in 2021: An Ever Expanding Threat

This ReliaQuest research analyzes nearly 800 2021 cybercriminal forum listings to profile Initial Access Brokers (IABs), reporting a 57.45% increase in listings year-over-year, widespread targeting (retail, technology, industrial, US/Europe), heavy reliance on RDP/VPN access methods, and sector/country pricing differences—concluding IABs are a maturing, high-impact enabler for ransomware and other attacks and recommending threat intelligence and risk-based vulnerability management.