According to Microsoft, threat actors are emboldened by this growing CaaS economy and are now creating new ways to implement techniques and host their operational infrastructure. Cybercriminals leverage widespread botnets to target Internet of Things (IoT) devices as well. To protect against these emerging threats, organizations must implement cyber hygiene best practices, provide cybersecurity training for employees, and conduct regular, automated user activity anomaly checks.
Another alarming trend is the rise of politically motivated cyberattacks. In 2022, Microsoft observed threat actors leveraging current events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and COVID-19 to conduct hyper-realistic, targeted phishing attacks. To mitigate these threats, Microsoft recommends heightened vigilance during geopolitical strife, particularly for open-source users.
Finally, Microsoft highlights the significant increase in ransomware attacks in 2022. These attacks are especially worrisome as critical infrastructure, businesses of all sizes, and state and local governments become targets of cybercriminals leveraging a growing cybercriminal ecosystem. The report states that half of all Microsoft cybersecurity recovery engagements were related to ransomware incidents in 2022. To prevent such attacks, organizations should evaluate their existing security procedures to identify any weaknesses, such as weak identity controls, ineffective security operations, and incomplete data protection strategies.
Overall, the report emphasizes the importance of understanding how cybercriminals operate and where vulnerabilities lie in order to take effective preventative measures. The report serves as a useful guide for organizations seeking to strengthen their cyber defenses against emerging cyber threats.
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