Ransomware attacks almost doubled in 2021, rising 92.7% year-over-year, according to NCC Group’s 2021 Annual Threat Monitor. The most-targeted regions were North America (53% of attacks) and Europe (30%). The most-targeted sectors were industrial (19.35%), public (19.35%) and consumer cyclicals (16.13%).

There has been a gradual rise in ransomware attacks since the pandemic began in 2020, with ransomware accounting for 65.38% of all incidents recorded by NCC Group in 2021.

The most prevalent threat actor noted in the report was Conti, a Russia-based group that emerged in 2017. Conti represented 18% of all attacks across the past two years; the industrial sector was its main target. Another notable threat is Lockbit, with 16.4% of cases.