In 2024, the cybersecurity landscape has been marred by a series of high-profile breaches that illustrate the relentless tactics employed by cybercriminals and state-sponsored actors. A noticeable trend this year has been the exploitation of specific vulnerabilities, allowing attackers to rampage through numerous organizations with alarming efficiency. While these breaches have proven to be a boon for attackers, they have dramatically compromised the privacy and security of countless individuals and organizations.
Amid ongoing political and social upheaval, experts anticipate that 2025 could bring even more complex challenges in cyberspace. This year alone has been marked by severe breaches, data leaks, and ransomware operations that underscore the urgent need for robust security measures. As we reflect on the incidents of 2024, it is crucial for business owners to remain vigilant and prepared for emerging threats.
One significant event involved the espionage group known as Salt Typhoon, which is linked to China. This group successfully infiltrated several prominent U.S. telecommunications companies, including Verizon and AT&T, engaging in espionage activities that lasted for months. The victims of this breach included individuals already under U.S. surveillance, diplomats, and political figures from the Trump and Harris campaigns. The attackers’ strategy reflects the MITRE ATT&CK tactics of initial access through exploitation of vulnerable networks and ongoing surveillance to maintain presence within their targets.
Another major incident unfolded over the summer, where cybercriminals targeted clients of Snowflake, a popular cloud data storage provider. Instead of sophisticated hacking techniques, they utilized stolen credentials to log into accounts lacking two-factor authentication. This resulted in the unauthorized access and theft of substantial data from high-profile victims, including Ticketmaster and Santander Bank. The attack exploited a fundamental security oversight and serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of implementing strong authentication measures. The attackers’ approach aligns with MITRE’s techniques for credential dumping and initial access.
Additionally, the healthcare sector experienced a staggering breach following a ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, which impacted over 100 million patients. The assault disrupted operations across hospitals and pharmacies nationwide, marking one of the largest medical data breaches in history. The ramifications of this attack were severe, resulting in the exposure of sensitive patient information and financial data. Change Healthcare attributed the attack to the notorious BlackCat ransomware group, highlighting the persistent threat from advanced criminal organizations that employ sophisticated tactics to disrupt critical services.
Further compounding the security challenges, Microsoft disclosed a breach attributed to a Russian state-sponsored group, known as Midnight Blizzard. The attackers gained access to corporate email accounts of senior executives and cybersecurity personnel by compromising historic test accounts. This operation exemplifies the MITRE techniques of lateral movement within networks and data exfiltration, as the group sought information on Microsoft’s internal investigations into their operations.
In another incident, the background check firm National Public Data suffered a breach that became publicly known months after the initial compromise. The stolen data surfaced on cybercriminal forums, revealing personal information including names, Social Security numbers, and contact details. The delayed disclosure of this incident reflects weaknesses in data breach detection and response protocols within organizations. Notably, the breach emphasizes the tactics of data theft and exfiltration as outlined in the MITRE framework.
Perhaps the most alarming trend in 2024 has been the aggressive theft of cryptocurrencies by North Korean hackers, who reportedly stole over $1.34 billion through high-profile cyberattacks. This alarming figure represents nearly 61 percent of the total funds stolen across various cyber incidents globally. The state’s pursuit of stolen cryptocurrency is linked to financing its weapons programs, raising significant international security concerns. The cybercriminal tactics in these operations reflect MITRE techniques involving initial access, credential harvesting, and resource development.
As we close out 2024, it is paramount for business owners to recognize the clear and present threats posed by cybercriminals and state-sponsored actors. Understanding the tactics as outlined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework can provide critical insight into how breaches occur and how to better defend against them. With threats evolving continuously, workplaces must adapt, enforce stringent security protocols, and remain vigilant in their cybersecurity practices to safeguard against future attacks.
