Ransomware 2024: Italy Among the Most Targeted Countries

May 08, 2025

Ransomware attacks in Italy have reached alarming levels in 2024, placing the country among the most targeted worldwide. The latest report by Italy's National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) recorded a 40% increase in cyber incidents, with 1,979 total cases 573 classified as severe. With the NIS2 compliance deadline approaching, organizations must be particularly vigilant against these threats.

The month of May alone saw 283 attacks a staggering 148% increase over April confirming ransomware as a major ongoing threat. No sector is immune, but the healthcare industry has been hit particularly hard, experiencing a 111% rise in ransomware attacks between 2023 and 2024. Organizations subject to NIS2 baseline security measures must implement robust protection against these attacks.

Cybercriminals are evolving their methods, increasingly adopting ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) models, allowing even less experienced actors to launch dangerous attacks. Notorious groups like LockBit 3.0, RansomHub, and 8Base have all targeted Italian organizations in recent months. Our NIS2 compliance guide provides detailed recommendations for addressing these threats.

The ransom cost is not only economic it damages reputation, trust, and operations. For many businesses, the aftermath of an attack is far more costly than prevention. Organizations should leverage our Virtual CISO service to strengthen their security posture and prepare for NIS2 compliance.

This is a wake-up call for all businesses: investing in cybersecurity is no longer optional. Proactive measures, up-to-date threat intelligence, staff training, and incident response planning are essential for digital resilience.