Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast

The Professionalization of the Ransomware Criminal Ecosystem


Listen Later

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by ransomware experts Allan Liska from Recorded Future and Jonathan Braley, Director of Threat Intelligence for IT-ISAC, to get a pulse check on the current state of ransomware.  


They discuss how ransomware has shifted from simple attacks, like Locky, to more sophisticated, high-stakes campaigns targeting entire networks and demanding millions of dollars. Allan and Jonathan also highlight the rise of ransomware-as-a-service, the emergence of big game hunting attacks, and the increasingly professionalized criminal ecosystem surrounding ransomware. The conversation further explores the psychological aspects of cybercrime, focusing on the mindset of ransomware operators—particularly in Eastern Europe and Russia—where the line between crime and business can often be blurred. 



In this episode you’ll learn:      

  • Why attackers now target entire networks instead of just single machines 
  • How cybercriminal groups turned ransomware into a profitable business model 
  • The unique challenges healthcare employees face during ransomware attacks 
  • Findings from IT-ISAC's recent ransomware reports 
  •  

    Some questions we ask:       

    • How did the Colonial Pipeline attack lead to real-world actions? 
    • Will paying the ransom restore the organization's data and operations? 
    • What are the differences between ransomware from 10-12 years ago and ransomware today? 
    •  

      Resources:  

      • View Allan Liska on LinkedIn  
      • View Jonathan Braley on LinkedIn  
      • View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

         

        • IT-ISAC Ransomware report 
        • Food and AG-ISAC Ransomware report 


          Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

          • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 
          • The BlueHat Podcast 
          • Uncovering Hidden Risks     

             

            Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

             

            Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

             

             

            The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.  

            ...more
            View all episodesView all episodes
            Download on the App Store

            Microsoft Threat Intelligence PodcastBy Microsoft

            • 5
            • 5
            • 5
            • 5
            • 5

            5

            19 ratings


            More shows like Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast

            View all
            Security Now (Audio) by TWiT

            Security Now (Audio)

            1,983 Listeners

            Risky Business by Patrick Gray

            Risky Business

            365 Listeners

            SANS Internet Stormcenter Daily Cyber Security Podcast (Stormcast) by Johannes B. Ullrich

            SANS Internet Stormcenter Daily Cyber Security Podcast (Stormcast)

            636 Listeners

            Defensive Security Podcast - Malware, Hacking, Cyber Security & Infosec by Jerry Bell and Andrew Kalat

            Defensive Security Podcast - Malware, Hacking, Cyber Security & Infosec

            366 Listeners

            CyberWire Daily by N2K Networks

            CyberWire Daily

            1,009 Listeners

            Smashing Security by Graham Cluley & Carole Theriault

            Smashing Security

            312 Listeners

            Click Here by Recorded Future News

            Click Here

            415 Listeners

            Malicious Life by Malicious Life

            Malicious Life

            925 Listeners

            Darknet Diaries by Jack Rhysider

            Darknet Diaries

            7,909 Listeners

            Cybersecurity Today by Jim Love

            Cybersecurity Today

            166 Listeners

            CISO Series Podcast by David Spark, Mike Johnson, and Andy Ellis

            CISO Series Podcast

            189 Listeners

            Hacking Humans by N2K Networks

            Hacking Humans

            314 Listeners

            Defense in Depth by David Spark, Steve Zalewski, Geoff Belknap

            Defense in Depth

            74 Listeners

            Cyber Security Headlines by CISO Series

            Cyber Security Headlines

            127 Listeners

            Risky Bulletin by risky.biz

            Risky Bulletin

            43 Listeners