In the first quarter of 2024, BlackBerry detected and thwarted 3.1 million cyberattacks, highlighting a significant rise in malicious activity. The report revealed that 60% of these attacks targeted critical infrastructure sectors, with the financial industry being hit the hardest. The surge in novel malware, with 54% of attacks involving previously unseen malware, underscores the increasing sophistication and motivation of threat actors.
The United States bore the brunt of these attacks, accounting for 82% of the global total. BlackBerry’s telemetry showed a 40% increase in unique malware samples per minute compared to the previous period. With geopolitical tensions high and numerous global events on the horizon, the report warns of continued, targeted cyber threats. This is particularly in sectors like healthcare and financial services, driven by advanced ransomware and infostealers.