2024 Cyber-threat Predictions: Scanning the Horizon

ReliaQuest’s Threat Research team reviews major 2023 cyber events and issues a 2024 forecast: threat actors will increasingly leverage AI for automation, expand ransomware and extortion activity (notably LockBit and Clop-linked behaviors), rely on infostealers and malware loaders (e.g., QakBot variants) for initial access, and exploit techniques such as SEO poisoning and BEC; geopolitical hacktivism and data leaks are expected to continue. The report closes with prioritized mitigations—MFA, least privilege, segmentation, EDR, rapid patching, third-party vetting, employee education, and layered detection—to help organizations prepare for these trends.