What once began in forums with self-written malware has evolved into a globally networked underground economy that surpasses many companies in efficiency, speed, and scalability. Hacker groups today divide labor, utilize distribution channels, provide support, share revenue with partners, and invest in research and development.
The crucial question is no longer whether a company will be the target of an attack, but how long it remains at a standstill after an attack — and whether it is able to recover from it.
Structured shadow industry
Cybercrime has transformed from isolated incidents into an organized industry. The large groups operate according to the same principles as international corporations. They have departments, processes, management levels, and KPIs. They develop software, maintain customer databases, and evaluate their success rates.
