Criminal cyber attacks targeting Aotearoa New Zealand skyrocketed in numbers over the last year and continued to grow in
sophistication.
At Reseller News Rob O'Neill writes: National Cyber Security Centre reports a surge in criminal cyber attacks.
While the proportion of state-linked malicious cyber activity was down slightly from last year’s 30 per cent, this was
because of the greater proportion of criminal incidents recorded.
The report showed there were 404 incidents affecting nationally significant organisations in the 2020/21 year, a 15 per cent
increase on last year.
These numbers reflect the NCSC’s focus is on incidents affecting New Zealand’s nationally significant organisations, and
on incidents likely to have a national impact, which means the numbers represent just a small proportion of the total
incidents affecting New Zealand
This squares with anecdotal evidence from New Zealand businesses that they are now constantly under attack.
When it comes to government and large scale business systems, it is likely the attackers are already inside the systems
waiting for an opportunity.
Everyday crime rates are dropping in most rich countries like New Zealand. There's a clear switch from activities such
risking your life with weapons to rob a a physical bank and getting online to steal money. Computer fraud is on the rise
everywhere.
Technology doesn't help. Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency, may not have been invented to smooth the way for criminals, but it
is used by the underworld to move money around. Drug gangs are carrying fewer suitcases full of banknotes and dealing
with more crypto transactions. Encrypted messaging services are used to communicate.
While these tools have legitimate uses, criminals have embraced them and depend more on them.
Ransomware remains the biggest threat. Criminals lock up data or disrupt systems until victims pay them, almost always the
transaction is in Bitcoin.
At first ransomware gangs targeted small business. It turns out that was all about learning their trade. Today they
target government departments, a DHB in New Zealand, police departments overseas.
They operate on an industrial scale and there are well established digital underworld supply chains.
We know most of the gangs are based in a small number of countries. Officials don't like to talk about this because of
diplomatic niceties. As a journalist I can tell you that Russia, other parts of eastern Europe and China are the main
sources. We also know some states turn a blind eye to the activity so long as the gangs focus on foreigners. There's
evidence criminal gangs and state hackers co-operate.
Governments have been slow to focus on fighting cybercrime. We can expect that change, but don't expect a let up from
the gangs.
National Cyber Security Centre reports growing online crime was first posted at billbennett.co.nz.