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Research Report

Threat Landscape Report: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Sector

Since August 2023, ransomware attacks on the PSTS industry have surged, with 939 organizations appearing on ransomware data-leak sites (DLS) in the past year—a 34% increase from the previous 12 months. In comparison, the all-sector total increase in ransomware attacks stands at 24%. This indicates that ransomware groups and their affiliates have begun disproportionately targeting the PSTS sector, likely due to increased awareness of the high volumes of sensitive data and perceived higher likelihood of ransom payment from this sector. Despite disruptions in the ransomware ecosystem in early 2024, PSTS-focused attacks continued making the sector the second-most targeted by ransomware groups, after manufacturing.

In This Report, You'll Uncover:

  • Initial Access Techniques: The methods threat actors employ to breach PSTS organizations, including exploiting external remote services and public-facing applications.
  • Dark Web Intelligence: Insights into cybercriminal activities and discussions about how attackers target and compromise PSTS sector tools and networks.
  • Threat Forecast: Current and emerging cyber threats, from ransomware to nation-state cyber espionage, and learn how to effectively mitigate these risks.

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