BY DAVID DIMOLFETTA
CYBERSECURITY REPORTER, NEXTGOV/FCW
Government facilities were the third-largest critical infrastructure sector targeted by ransomware attacks in 2023, according to cybercrime statistics released Wednesday by the FBI.
The agency’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, unveiled the findings in its annual report that unpacks complaints, financial losses and other metrics used to determine the severity of cybercrime activities reported to federal authorities.
Of the 1,193 complaints IC3 received from organizations belonging to U.S.-designated critical infrastructure sectors, government facilities came in third place with 156 complaints, while critical manufacturing and healthcare centers took the second and top spots, respectively.
“Of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors, IC3 reporting indicated 14 sectors had at least 1 member that fell to a ransomware attack in 2023,” the report adds.
LockBit, ALPHV/BlackCat, Akira, Royal and Black Basta were the top ransomware gangs tied to those critical infrastructure complaints, the report added. ALPHV, which recently claimed responsibility for its attack on Change Healthcare that has caused widespread logjams in the prescription drug market, reportedly staged a takedown after hauling away a $22 million ransom payment from the company.
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