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Ransomware attacks surged in 2024, casting a formidable threat to businesses across industries. Recent developments like open-sourced versions and the Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) delivery model have considerably reduced the entry barrier to launching complex ransomware attacks, allowing even low-skilled cybercriminals to execute large-scale attacks. And the scary part? Experts warn this is just the beginning, and the worst may be yet to come as the bad guys continue to refine and scale their tactics.
In this blog, we’ll discuss three of 2024’s most chilling ransomware incidents, exploring what went wrong for the victims. But don’t worry — we won’t leave you in the dark. We’ll also share actionable strategies and powerful tools to help you stay protected from growing ransomware threats.
Cyber hauntings of 2024: Inside the year’s scariest ransomware attacks
Let’s uncover three of the year’s most devastating incidents, exploring how attackers breached defenses and the scale of damage they left behind.
Incident 1: CDK Global ransomware attack
The victim: CDK Global, a prominent software service provider for the automotive industry, serves nearly 15,000 dealer locations across the U.S. and Canada. Headquartered in the U.S., CDK’s software underpins essential dealership operations, supporting vehicle sales, financing, insurance and repairs. With its broad client base, CDK Global has been a critical player in the industry’s daily digital operations.
The haunting: In June 2024, CDK Global became the target of a severe ransomware attack orchestrated by the BlackSuit ransomware gang. The attack led to the encryption of CDK’s critical files and systems, forcing the company to shut down its IT infrastructure. However, as CDK worked to recover from this initial breach, a second cyberattack struck, compounding the damage and heightening the disruption across their network.
The chaos: The attack sent shockwaves through the automotive industry in both the U.S. and Canada, significantly disrupting operations across dealerships and automakers. Unable to rely on CDK’s software, dealerships had to revert to manual processes, creating widespread delays in vehicle sales and services. The financial repercussions were staggering: a study from the Anderson Economic Group (AEG) estimated losses of over $1 billion for auto dealerships during the outage.
The wreckage: The incident left lasting scars on CDK Global’s reputation within the automotive sector. Beyond operational disruptions, the ransomware group reportedly received $25 million in ransom. Additionally, CDK Global faces a heavy financial toll, agreeing to pay $100 million in a nationwide class action settlement with retail auto dealerships impacted by the cyberattack.
Incident 2: Ivanti ransomware attacks via Connect Secure and Policy Secure gateways
The victim: Ivanti, a U.S.-based IT management and security company, provides essential software solutions for IT security and systems management to over 40,000 organizations worldwide. Ivanti’s Connect Secure virtual private network (VPN) solution is widely relied upon by corporations, universities, healthcare organizations and banks, enabling secure remote access for employees and contractors across the globe.
The haunting: In December 2023, Ivanti’s Connect Secure and Policy Secure gateways became the focus of a sustained attack by Chinese state-sponsored hackers. These attackers exploited multiple zero-day vulnerabilities, allowing them to bypass authentication, craft malicious requests and execute commands with elevated privileges. Despite Ivanti’s efforts to release patches, attackers quickly identified and exploited new flaws, turning these gateways into a recurring target for infiltration and control. A third vulnerability in Ivanti’s VPN products soon followed, deepening the threat and raising alarms across industries.
The chaos: As news of these exploits spread, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in partnership with international cybersecurity agencies, issued an urgent advisory on the widespread exploitation of Ivanti’s VPN vulnerabilities. Although Ivanti has since patched the affected products, security researchers warn that the risk of additional attacks remains high, with more threat actors likely to exploit these flaws, potentially impacting numerous organizations.
The wreckage: With over 40,000 customers worldwide, including critical sectors such as healthcare, education and finance, Ivanti’s VPN vulnerability has created a lingering security crisis. Any unpatched devices connected to the internet are at high risk of repeated compromise, leaving organizations exposed. This underscores the critical importance of continuous monitoring and swift patching to thwart cyberthreats.
Incident 3: Change Healthcare ransomware attack
The victim: Change Healthcare, a key subsidiary of UnitedHealth, processes nearly 40 percent of all medical claims in the U.S. As one of the country’s largest healthcare payment processors, Change Healthcare plays a vital role in the seamless operation of healthcare billing, payment services and patient data management.
The haunting: In February 2024, Change Healthcare fell victim to a ransomware attack executed by the BlackCat ransomware gang. Leveraging stolen credentials, the attackers infiltrated Change Healthcare’s data systems, exfiltrating up to 4TB of highly sensitive patient data. The gang then deployed the ransomware, paralyzing healthcare billing, payment operations and other essential processes. This attack has been described as one of the most significant threats ever encountered by the U.S. healthcare system.
The chaos: The ransomware incident triggered a nationwide healthcare crisis, disrupting patient access to timely care and exposing personal, payment and insurance records. In the wake of the attack, reports indicate that Change Healthcare paid a non-verified ransom of $22 million in hopes of securing the stolen data. However, the aftermath of the breach left a profound impact on healthcare services and patients’ trust in the system.
The wreckage: The investigation revealed that the breach exploited a lack of multifactor authentication (MFA) on remote access servers, a basic requirement under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. In response, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a formal investigation, scrutinizing the unprecedented risk posed to patient care and privacy from this catastrophic incident.
Unmasking the gaps: Common security failures behind ransomware attacks
Ransomware attacks often exploit overlooked security gaps, haunting even the most established organizations. As seen in Ivanti’s case, unpatched devices create an entry point for cybercriminals, while Change Healthcare’s lack of MFA left its systems exposed. In this section, we’ll explore four critical security gaps that pave the way for ransomware attacks, revealing the common pitfalls that organizations must address to protect themselves.
- Lack of timely software patches and updates
Outdated software is an open invitation for ransomware. When organizations delay updates and skip patches, they leave critical vulnerabilities exposed, creating easy access points for attackers. As we saw in Ivanti’s case, unpatched systems allow cybercriminals to exploit known weaknesses. This highlights the urgent need for routine patch management to close dangerous gaps.
- Insufficient endpoint protection for VPNs and remote devices
With remote work becoming the new norm, endpoint security for VPNs and remote devices has become critical. Insufficient protection can turn remote connections into entry points for ransomware. Cybercriminals often target weakly secured remote devices to gain network access, making robust endpoint protection vital to secure VPNs and all remote devices.
- Lack of continuous monitoring and proactive threat detection
Without continuous monitoring, ransomware can lurk undetected, spreading through systems before anyone realizes it. Proactive threat detection is crucial in spotting suspicious activities early on, giving security teams a chance to halt attacks in their tracks.
- Weak backup and disaster recovery plans
A weak backup and disaster recovery strategy can turn a ransomware attack into an operational catastrophe. Without reliable, up-to-date backups, organizations will be forced to negotiate with attackers or face prolonged downtime. Strong backup and disaster recovery plans ensure that even if ransomware strikes, recovery is swift, minimizing disruption and reducing attackers’ leverage.
Building a shield: Key strategies to combat ransomware
Here are four essential strategies to strengthen your cybersecurity and keep ransomware attacks at bay.
- Proactive patch management
Keeping all software and VPNs up to date is crucial in shutting down known vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them. Proactive patch management ensures that organizations stay a step ahead, closing security gaps and making it harder for ransomware to infiltrate through.
- Implementing MFA and strict access controls
Implementing MFA and stringent access controls for devices and VPNs adds an essential layer of defense. By requiring multiple verification steps, MFA makes it significantly harder for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access.
- Comprehensive endpoint security and monitoring
With every device acting as a potential entry point, endpoint security is critical. By securing and continuously monitoring all devices connected to the network, organizations can quickly identify and respond to suspicious activity, stopping ransomware in its tracks.
- Regular backups for quick recovery
Frequent, reliable backups ensure that even if ransomware strikes, organizations can recover quickly without having to pay a ransom. By maintaining recent copies of critical data, businesses can minimize downtime and restore operations with minimal disruption.
How Kaseya 365 protects you from ransomware
Ransomware has swiftly ballooned into a multi-billion-dollar industry, with cybercriminals leveraging cutting-edge technologies and tactics to launch large-scale, sophisticated attacks. However, organizations can effectively defend against these relentless threats with a comprehensive approach, and that’s where Kaseya 365 comes into the picture.
Kaseya 365 offers a robust cybersecurity suite to help you tackle ransomware threats with ease and confidence. By automating critical processes, like 24/7 real-time monitoring, patch management and rapid threat response, Kaseya 365 helps successfully defend against cyber-risks like ransomware.
- Real-time 24/7 monitoring to detect threats early: Kaseya 365’s real-time monitoring gives organizations instant visibility into every endpoint and network activity. Its continuous surveillance enables you to detect suspicious behaviors early, allowing security teams to intervene before ransomware can spread, minimizing the risk of costly damage and downtime.
- Automated patch management for proactive protection: With automated patch management, businesses can confidently stay ahead of ransomware risks. The solution scans continuously for software vulnerabilities and automatically identifies any gaps that could expose the networks. Scheduling updates during non-business hours means security never interrupts your productivity, while detailed compliance reports help you effortlessly meet regulatory standards.
- Multi-layered endpoint security: Kaseya 365’s multi-layered endpoint security protects every entry point into your network. This includes comprehensive mobile device management, ensuring all devices are secured and continuously monitored. With this level of endpoint security, you can confidently support remote work without opening doors to ransomware attacks.
- Fast recovery with integrated backup and disaster recovery: In the event of an attack, Kaseya 365’s backup and disaster recovery solutions enable quick restoration of critical data and systems, minimizing operational disruption. This integrated approach allows organizations to resume business without delay, bypassing ransom demands and ensuring resilience even in the face of ransomware.
As ransomware threats continue to grow in frequency and sophistication, strengthening cybersecurity defenses is more critical than ever. Kaseya 365 empowers organizations to stay protected by eliminating ransomware and other cyberthreats, all while reducing IT burnout and lowering costs. Don’t wait until it’s too late — secure your organization’s future with comprehensive, proactive protection. Get a free demo today and see how Kaseya 365 can keep you one step ahead of threats like ransomware.
