Cyber security and risk management have been consistent partners with the rise of information technology and digital transformation since the 1980s. Cybersecurity activities evolved from combating viruses, worms, and trojan horses in the pre millennial era, to securing networks, endpoints, databases, web application and firewall management, intrusion prevention and detection, data leakage prevention and fighting ransomware and malware.
Although PC Cyborg: the well-known AIDS Trojan was the first documented ransomware way back in 1989 and preceded the rise of malware signatures accompanying the rise of email and internet in the late 1990s/ early 2000s, the mid 2000s era saw a discernible rise of ransomware and its “monetisation” by cyber criminals. This has been exacerbated by the popularity and adoption of cloud, IoT Devices, and mobility on 1 hand, and the challenges CIOs faced in this new way of working which were earlier protected within the organisation’s trusted perimeter and well-defined guidelines for usage of VPNs, email, web browsing and other infosec activities.
What were the ransomware trends and impacts in the pre-COVID period?
Major ransomware attacks in the…
