In 2024, reports revealed that an unnamed Fortune 500 organization paid a staggering $75 million ransom to the DarkAngels threat group, possibly making it the largest known ransom payment to date, although many ransom details remain undisclosed. DarkAngels, a financially motivated Russian group with a preference for large and technically sophisticated targets, specializes in ransomware attacks and large-scale data exfiltration, posing a significant threat that organizations, especially those listed on the Fortune 500, need to prepare to confront. The increasing trend of ransomware payments, the average payment rising from $400,000 in 2023 to $2 million in 2024, indicates the urgent need for organizations to develop strategies to prevent data loss and manage ransomware repercussions effectively
DarkAngels' modus operandi of quietly exfiltrating large amounts of data, along with their discreet data leak site 'DungHill', adds to the urgency for organizations to monitor outbound traffic, set up alerts for spikes, and invest in dark web monitoring services. The recent breach of Nexperia highlights the diverse types of sensitive data targeted by threat groups, emphasizing the criticality of robust cybersecurity measures and continuous monitoring to protect valuable assets amidst the rising ransomware attacks that have victimized sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. Organizations must prioritize enhancing their cybersecurity defenses, crafting comprehensive response strategies, and collecting routine threat intelligence on emerging threat groups like DarkAngels to safeguard against potential data breaches and financial losses. ```https://www.isaca.org/resources/news-and-trends/industry-news/2024/darkangels-strikes-big-record-breaking-ransom-secured