Ransomware attacks are on the rise, with a new report from Malwarebytes revealing a disturbing trend: the majority of attacks now occur between 1am and 5am. This strategic timing is meant to catch cybersecurity teams off guard, making it more difficult to detect and respond to threats.

The 2024 State of Ransomware Report by Malwarebytes is based on threat intelligence gathered by the company and its dedicated detection and response unit. The report highlights the increasing frequency of ransomware attacks during the early hours of the morning, when IT staff are usually limited.

One of the key findings of the report is that ransomware attacks are now completed in record time, taking only hours from initial access to encryption. This rapid pace, coupled with the use of sophisticated evasion techniques, poses a significant challenge for network defenders.

Chris Kissel, IDC research VP for security & trust, emphasized the importance of 24/7 managed detection and response to combat ransomware threats effectively. He pointed out that attacks can occur at any time, and organizations need to be prepared to respond swiftly.

Despite efforts to combat ransomware, the US and UK have seen a significant increase in attacks over the past year. The report also highlights a rise in attacks by cybercriminals outside the top 15 groups, indicating a broader accessibility to ransomware tools.

Two sectors that have been particularly targeted by ransomware are services and manufacturing, with manufacturing experiencing a 71% year-on-year increase in attacks. This underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for organizations in these industries.

As ransomware attacks continue to evolve and become more prevalent, organizations must prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect their data and networks. The insights from Malwarebytes’ report serve as a stark reminder of the need for constant vigilance and proactive defense against cyber threats.