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New research reveals the scale of ransomware threat as attacks surge and businesses struggle with extortion.
Artificial intelligence is driving a surge in ransomware attacks, driving more and more businesses to struggle with threats of exposure and the decision to pay exorbitant ransoms.
Identity security firm Delinea’s 2025 State of Ransomware Report, based on the responses of more than 1,000 IT and security professionals from across the globe, has revealed that more than two-thirds of businesses have been hit by ransomware attacks in the last 12 months.
Even more worrying, 27 per cent of businesses reported being hit more than once.
One of the key drivers of the ransomware business is access to AI, which can automate phishing attacks and create deepfakes capable of impersonating trusted individuals within an organisation.
“Ransomware has evolved into a shape-shifting, AI-enabled threat that no business can afford to underestimate,” Art Gilliland, Delinea’s CEO, said in a statement.
“In order to combat the sophistication of today’s attacks, organisations must fight AI with AI and embrace proactive, identity security strategies like zero-trust architecture, Privileged Access Management, and continuous credential monitoring to stay ahead.”
Ninety per cent of organisations are now using AI as part of their ransomware defence strategy, particularly within security operations, detecting indicators of compromise, and detecting and preventing phishing.
But there is still room for improvement. While 90 per cent of IT leaders are concerned about ransomware as a threat to their business, only 34 per cent are taking advantage of least privilege access controls, and only 57 per cent using application controls.
Ransom payment practices, however, are changing. According to Delinea’s research, only 57 per cent of businesses hit by ransomware attacks are actually paying a ransom, down from 76 per cent in the previous 12 months.
You can read the full report here.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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