Ransomware attacks on telecommunications providers have surged, increasing by 40% from April 2022 to April 2023. In 2023, KonBriefing Research reported 38 successful cyberattacks on telecom companies across multiple countries, including Slovak Telekom, La Poste Mobile, Bardstown Connect, and Arvig. These attacks have grown more sophisticated, employing tactics like ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) and encryption-less extortion. The U.S. was the most targeted for double-extortion ransomware attacks, accounting for nearly half of all campaigns.
Telecommunications providers must adopt a comprehensive zero-trust security strategy to counter these threats. This includes implementing zero-trust network access (ZTNA) architecture, granular segmentation, and advanced security solutions like browser isolation, sandboxing, and cloud access security brokers (CASB). Collaboration between telecom operators, vendors, and law enforcement is crucial. By conducting security audits and enforcing strict access controls, the industry can better protect itself and its customers from ransomware attacks.
View the latest ransomware attacks in the Telecommunications sector: