Ransomware Recruitment Efforts Following Law Enforcement Disruption
In late 2023 and early 2024, the ransomware ecosystem experienced repeated disruption of its most prolific Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) groups at the hands of international Law Enforcement (LE). Alphv’s dark web data leak site was seized, then unseized, then re-seized in a December 2023 law enforcement operation that seemingly failed to deter the group – until AlphV ultimately claimed to disband via an apparent exit scam, immediately following a high-profile attack against Change Healthcare in March 2024. LockBit experienced a far more dramatic and well-marketed disruption, “Operation Cronos,” in February 2024, leading to the compromise of its infrastructure, internal operational details, and data. While LockBit has ostensibly continued operations, its highly publicized disruption raises the question of whether the group will be able to continue operating and attracting affiliates at the level they once enjoyed.
