Two reports released by the U.S. government provide important insights into the state of the ransomware threat. The FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report gives data on ransomware amongst other cybercrime types, while the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) 2024 Annual Threat Assessment offers a strategic assessment of ransomware amidst a broader account of national security threats to the United States.
Combined, the two reports confirm what has been evident through multiple years of tracking and reporting:
Ransomware continues to be “costly and impactful” for industry and government. The FBI Internet Crime Report notes an 18% increase in complaints received in 2023 from 2022 levels. Ransomware is now a staple national security risk for the U.S. government. It has been referenced in the last three ODNI annual threat assessments and was framed as such in the 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy, “Ransomware is a threat to national security, public safety, and economic prosperity.
