Black Kite's New Report Reveals Alarming Ransomware Surge and Vulnerability Trends

Black Kite Unveils its 2025 Ransomware Report



In a disturbing revelation, Black Kite, a leader in cyber risk intelligence, has released its 2025 Ransomware Report. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on a shocking 123% surge in ransomware attacks over the past two years. The report offers critical insights into evolving threats, emphasizing the necessity for organizations to bolster their defenses against a new wave of cybercriminals.

Summary of Findings


From April 2024 to March 2025, ransomware attacks escalated significantly, impacting a diverse array of sectors. Black Kite's Research Intelligence Team, known as BRITE, reports a 25% increase in publicly disclosed attack victims compared to the previous year. This marks a steep escalation following an 81% rise in the prior period, resulting in a total of 6,046 reported victims by the study's conclusion.

The report underlines a notable trend; small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are becoming prime targets due to their weaker cybersecurity measures and a lower probability of retaliation against attacks. Additionally, a growing number of incidents linked to supply chain vulnerabilities has emerged, as attackers are increasingly focusing on third-party vendors, which can disrupt operations across numerous associated organizations even without direct attacks on them.

Ransomware Landscape Changes


Ferhat Dikbiyik from Black Kite articulated that ransomware is evolving not necessarily in sophistication but in its operational strategy. The collapse of considerable syndicates like LockBit has resulted in chaos within the criminal environment, leading to the emergence of dozens of unpredictable new players.

The methodology utilized in this report included a blend of continuous monitoring of ransomware activities, analysis of victims, and intelligence gathering from dark web platforms. This comprehensive approach enabled the identification of 52 brand new groups within the last year, which now brings the total number of active ransomware groups to 96.

Key Statistics


The startling statistics revealed in the report include:
  • - Publicly disclosed victims: 6,046, marking an increase of 24% year-over-year.
  • - Emergence of new groups: 52 new ransomware groups introduced in one year.
  • - SMBs targeted: These entities (ranging from $4M to $8M) were disproportionately affected, reflecting their vulnerability.
  • - Third-party breaches: Ransomware accounted for 67% of known breaches linked to external vendors.
  • - RSI impact: Of those organizations with a Ransomware Susceptibility Index (RSI) above 0.8, nearly half experienced actual attacks, highlighting a connection between susceptibility and incident occurrences.

Decline in Ransom Payment Value


Interestingly, although the total number of attacks has increased, the ransom amounts demanded have declined by approximately 35%. This pattern likely results from the influx of less experienced actors who lack the infrastructure to orchestrate large-scale extortion schemes effectively. Consequently, while payment values are down, the breadth of the disruptions caused by these attacks has widened significantly.

The Transition to AI and New Tactics


The landscape of cyber threats is also shifting towards artificial intelligence-enhanced attacks, which can potentially evade current security measures. Attackers are leveraging advanced technologies to refine their strategies, making detection and prevention that much more challenging for organizations. A proactive approach based on real-time threat intelligence is necessary to navigate this new era of cyber warfare successfully.

Conclusion


The findings within Black Kite's 2025 Ransomware Report underscore the urgent need for companies to evolve their cybersecurity postures. As threats continue to grow and diversify, the importance of immediate, intelligence-driven responses and continuous third-party vendor monitoring becomes paramount. Organizations must transition from mere visibility of risks to a more resilient response framework that can withstand the increasing volume and sophistication of ransomware attacks. By adapting and anticipating threats, businesses can protect themselves in this digitally perilous environment.

For a deeper dive into these findings and strategies for mitigation, access the full report on Black Kite's website.

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