65% Of Surveyed Executives And Employees Have Been Asked By Hackers To Help In Ransomware Attacks


Ransomware attacks, which were a growing problem last year, are expected to increase this year. But the cyberattacks, which people assumed were coming from outside their organizations, have also become internal threats.

A new poll from identity protection company Hitachi ID Systems found that 65% of surveyed IT and security executives or their employees have been approached to assist in these cyberattacks. This represents a 17% increase from a similar survey last November.

  • Overall, 57% of respondents reported that they or their employees were offered cash or Bitcoins worth less than $500,000. Ransomware attackers primarily contacted executives and employees through email (59%). 
  • Of the 65% who said they had been approached to assist in a ransomware attack, 49% ended up a victim of ransomware attack.
  • Although many (55%) consider themselves moderately or very prepared to defend against ransomware, more than half (51%) rely mostly or exclusively on perimeter defense.

26% Paid Ransom Demands

In the new poll, most people said they consulted an external party before responding to a ransomware attack and were advised not to pay the ransom. But 26% said they did pay—the demands ranged between $300,000 and $600,000.

Hitachi ID warned that, “To combat this rising threat, businesses must take a proactive offensive approach to cybersecurity or face financial and reputational damage.” 

The company surveyed 100 IT and security executives between December 7 2021 and January 4, 2022 about how hackers are approaching employees, how ransomware is impacting an organization’s cybersecurity approach and how prepared businesses are to combat these attacks.

Other Survey Results

Victim Of Attacks

  • 38% of respondents say their company has been a victim of a ransomware attack.
  • Of those who said they had been approached to assist in a ransomware attack, 49% ended up a victim of…

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