2022 Predictions: Is a News Organization Hack Imminent?

The DRI International Future Vision Committee has released its 7th Annual Predictions Report, looking ahead to 2022 and its impact on the resilience community. Download the complete report free from the DRI Library, and read on for a prediction about the likelihood of a cyber-attack on a news organization and its potential consequences. Prediction 6: An international news organization is hacked resulting in a large amount of compromised personal data being made public In general, cyber-attacks will remain persistent, pernicious, and damaging, particularly through ransomware and denial of service extortion operations. Ransomware attacks will continue to increase. During the CNA Financial Corporation attack earlier this year (in which the Chicago based corporation paid $40 million to regain control of its network), hackers may have collected a list of companies holding cyber insurance coverage. This could serve as a “to-do” list to prioritize which companies hackers may hit next, knowing that there could be a great likelihood of ransom payment since the company could potentially be reimbursed by an insurance policy. Hackers are now finding more sophisticated ways to corrupt backup files, making it harder for companies to restore their data and processes without paying the ransom. The U.S. government has increased funding for cyber resilience and this might start to show some success by greater regulation of the private sector cyber requirements and through global collaboration of allies against criminal cyber threats. Join us for DRI2022 in Las Vegas Feb. 13-16, 2022, where Future Vision Committee Chair Lyndon Bird will lead an interactive session where participants will have the opportunity to vote on a number of the key issues which have emerged from the reports. Bird will respond to voting as it happens, providing instant feedback and opinion. Please come to this session ready to participate, debate, and even argue if you wish. Challenging and controversial opinions are welcome.