The year 2024 has marked a record surge in credential theft. Over the past 12 months, there has been a 333% increase in stolen authentication data compared to the previous year, according to analysts at Cyberint, a company under Check Point. Experts also warn about the growing threat of AI-assisted ransomware.
A new cybersecurity report, “Europe Threat Landscape 2024-2025,” highlights a 333% rise in credential theft incidents, an increasing number of supply chain attacks, and the greater use of AI in phishing campaigns. Organizations across Europe, including Poland, face unprecedented challenges from these threats, according to experts from Cyberint, now operating as Check Point External Risk Management.
In 2024, as much as 84% of supplier security breaches were due to vulnerabilities in the supply chain. Experts point out that remote work continues to be a significant risk, as unprotected personal devices and home networks become targets for attacks.
“The rise of AI-assisted phishing and ransomware reflects a shift in the cyber landscape. Attackers are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to exploit vulnerabilities faster and on a larger scale. The fact that 84% of breaches are related to the supply chain is a clear signal for companies to review their supplier relationships and invest in solutions that improve threat visibility,” explains Wojciech Głażewski, Country Manager for Check Point Software in Poland.
A study conducted by EY shows that most Poles (64%) fear the theft of their digital data, marking a 15 percentage point increase year-on-year. Simultaneously, Poles are willing to share information in exchange for personalized offers and promotions from brands — 62% of respondents declared this. This result is 34 percentage points higher than the global average of 28%. Regarding concerns about identity theft, the results for Poland (64%) and the global average (61%) are very similar.
According to Check Point Software’s estimates, organizations worldwide are facing a 75% increase in cyberattacks in 2024. As technology evolves, one of the newest threats is AI-based fraud, utilizing advanced technologies such as machine learning, generative AI, and natural language processing (NLP). Poland ranks among the most targeted countries by cybercriminals in Europe, with Polish companies experiencing an average of over 2,100 attacks per week.
The report is based on an analysis of 140,000 threat alerts in key industrial sectors conducted via the Cyberint Argos platform. In addition to diagnosing the current situation, the report offers strategic guidelines for security professionals aimed at protecting against emerging threats. For example, generative AI enables the creation of more personalized and convincing scams, making traditional detection methods less effective. Cybercriminals exploit this by supporting ransomware attacks with the latest AI solutions, allowing them to bypass even the most advanced security systems. Ransomware attacks employing double and triple extortion increasingly target sectors such as finance, healthcare, and IT. AI-assisted malware can circumvent sophisticated security defenses.
The report outlines five priorities for organizations to consider in 2025:
- Deploy AI-based tools to combat advanced phishing and ransomware attacks.
- Strengthen supply chain security through real-time monitoring and supplier assessments.
- Implement zero-trust architectures to minimize risks associated with hybrid work models.
- Increase investments in endpoint security and the protection of personal devices.
- Create rigorous employee training programs to mitigate risks related to human error.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/ponad-3-krotny-wzrost-kradziezy-danych-uwierzytelniajacych-w-europie-44720
