Preparing for 2018: Enterprise Ransomware, Software Supply Chain Attacks and Nation-State Threats

Preparing for 2018: Enterprise Ransomware, Software Supply Chain Attacks and Nation-State Threats

As we look back at 2017, one thing is certain – the hacks, breaches and exploited vulnerabilities that halted hundreds to thousands of businesses this year show that threat actors are growing more skilled, moving faster than legacy technology and finding clever ways to infiltrate organizations. With the new year approaching, we’ll see some major trends in attack types continue to grow and geopolitical motivations will strongly influence nation-state cyber activity.

Looking at the major attack types that will be prevalent in 2018, enterprise ransomware will continue to be a major trend for adversaries. In 2017, we saw these disruptive and destructive attacks come to the forefront with the WannaCry, NotPetya and BadRabbit malware outbreaks that successfully took companies offline for days and, in some cases, even weeks. While mostly destructive and not truly ransomware in nature, these attacks highlighted the potential for criminal groups to hold entire networks hostage while demanding millions of dollars in ransom from businesses who need to get their operations back up and running. These viral enterprise ransomware attacks will likely become a major trend amongst e-crime actors in 2018.

In addition to enterprise ransomware, software supply chain attacks will be the new vector for many adversaries. Recent events have demonstrated that the software supply chain is becoming an attractive way for nation-state threat actors to target organizations en-masse – take for example the CCleaner attack in September. Compromising the update channel of a popular software package can immediately give access to thousands of victims in one fell swoop. While these software supply chain attacks are not new, the frequency with which they have been taking place are a cause for concern. As evidenced by this momentum, the software supply chain will likely become a favorite threat distribution vector for criminal groups as well in 2018. In order to stay protected against these attacks, organizations must leverage anomaly-based detection and ensure comprehensive visibility to detect and stop these incidents.

Geopolitical motivations across the globe in 2018 will also continue to influence nation-state cyber activity. The potential for attacks from North Korea will continue to be a primary concern. In fact, we’ve been worrid for some time that one of the ways North Korea may try to deter a possible military attack against their nuclear or ballistic missile facilities is through asymmetric operations, which these days also include significant cyber attack capabilities. In particular, due to North Korea’s lack of dependence on global financial systems and the importance of it to U.S. and Western economies, as well as past history of intrusions into major banking institutions by DPRK, the financial sector is one that will likely suffer the brunt of these attacks.

Additionally, ongoing attacks from Iran against Saudi Arabia, and even potentially the United States, will come to the forefront in 2018. We have observed Iran invest significant resources in advancing its cyber capabilities over the last seven years. Continued tensions and proxy wars with Saudi Arabia over the conflicts in Syria, Yemen and the blockade of Qatar, have resulted in waves of cyber attacks from Iran against Saudi Arabia. These attacks are likely to continue and potentially escalate into 2018, with possible impact on Western companies working in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, if the U.S. pulls out of the JCPOA nuclear agreement and attempts to reinstate financial sanctions against Iran, they may expand those attacks to include the U.S. financial and energy sectors.

This past year was marked by adversaries finding more interesting and effective ways to cause harms to organizations – whether by halting operations or by exposing used data. And, with 2018 quickly approaching, it will be critical for organizations to focus on the growing threat vectors and nation-state developments affecting their industries.

About the Author

Dmitri Alperovitch is the co-founder and CTO of Crowdstrike.

Featured

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

  • Study: Nearly Half of Companies Exclude Cybersecurity Teams When Developing, Onboarding and Implementing AI Solutions

    Only 35 percent of cybersecurity professionals or teams are involved in the development of policy governing the use of AI technology in their enterprise, and nearly half (45 percent) report no involvement in the development, onboarding, or implementation of AI solutions, according to the recently released 2024 State of Cybersecurity survey report from ISACA, a global professional association advancing trust in technology. Read Now

  • New Report Series Highlights E-Commerce Threats, Fraud Against Retailers

    Trustwave, a cybersecurity and managed security services provider, recently released a series of reports detailing the threats facing the retail sector, marking the second year of its ongoing research into these critical security issues. Read Now

  • Stay Secure in 2024: Updated Cybersecurity Tips for the Office and at Home

    Cyber criminals get more inventive every year. Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and are a moving target for business owners in 2024. Companies large and small need to employ cybersecurity best practices throughout their organization. That includes security integrators, manufacturers, and end users. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame. 3