Ransomware attacks on industrial firms jumped 87 per cent in 2022, hitting renewable energy and utilities

  • Hackers targeted mining, food, water, electrical and natural gas sectors, according to a report from cybersecurity firm Dragos
  • The report comes after Chainalysis previously concluded total ransomware payments were down for the year, although it did not indicate fewer attacks

Ransomware attacks against industrial organisations spiked in 2022, hitting firms across a number of critical sectors including energy, food and water. Photo: Reuters

Ransomware attacks against industrial organisations increased by 87 per cent in 2022 from the year before, with most malicious software targeting the manufacturing sector, according to findings published onTuesday.

Hackers last year targeted mining industries in Australia and New Zealand, and continued their focus on renewable energy companies in the US and the European Union, cybersecurity firm Dragos said in a report. Attackers also increased or accelerated their attacks on energy, food, water, electrical and natural gas sectors, the company determined.

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