Ransomware: Solving The $265 Billion Crisis Before It Gets Worse
Ransomware has become the defining cybersecurity threat of our time, targeting organizations of all sizes with relentless precision—and the stakes are higher than ever. In 2024, average ransom payments skyrocketed to $2.73 million, marking a $1 million increase from the previous year [Sophos]. The global impact? By 2031, ransomware is expected to inflict a jaw-dropping $265 billion in damages [Cybersecurity Ventures].
Yet, despite growing awareness and record security spending, most organizations remain vulnerable. Shockingly, 67% of victims end up paying the ransom, but one-third of them never recover their data [Help Net Security]. And the disruption doesn’t stop there—businesses endure an average of three weeks of downtime per attack [Statista].
Even with widespread adoption of Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPPs) and Endpoint Detection Response (EDR) solutions, 87% of organizations increasing their security budgets, only 41% feel confident in their teams and strategies to handle the next ransomware attack [Cybereason]. Why?
How are attackers staying ahead? And why are today’s defenses falling short? Let’s dive into the systemic vulnerabilities in endpoint defenses, the rise of AI-augmented ransomware, and what must change to build true resilience.
Three key reasons why current endpoint defenses are falling short:
Zero-day exploitation: Most EPPs have outdated architectures that batch events and send them to the cloud for analysis. This process leaves systems vulnerable to zero-day attacks between intra-day updates. Meanwhile, attackers are using artificial intelligence to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities within seconds—far outpacing defensive capabilities.
"Detonating every available malware sample in a lab—a practice most EPP vendors rely on to codify malware behaviors—is a losing battle, since modern malware like Blackcat behaves differently across different systems." -Malware Threat Researcher
Detection-to-eviction gap: EDRs detect and block threats but fail to fully evict attackers. Even the most advanced Security Operations Centers (SOCs) take 21+ days to remove threats after detection [Splunk], leaving systems vulnerable.
"The post-breach process is extremely messy—containing the attack, evicting the attacker, and restoring systems to their pre-attack state is extremely costly." -Global 500 CISO
Narrow focus: EPPs inadequately protect against initial access vectors like reconnaissance, phishing, and credential theft—critical entry points for infostealers that subsequently lead to ransomware attacks. While reactive defenses serve a purpose, predictive techniques and proactive measures to prevent initial access must be the cornerstone of resilience.
"EPP solutions are good at detecting malicious behaviors but struggle with normal user activities—like email, browser, and social media interactions—which infostealers exploit to gain system access. The ability to analyze these early behaviors and build a storyline is necessary for prediction and early detection." —Malware Engineer
In 2024, LockBit group alone claimed over 2,500 victims across 120 countries (with 1,800 in the US) according to the US Department of Justice. Meanwhile, groups like CLOP are deploying AI-augmented ransomware to create ever-evolving attacks that mimic zero-day threats [Akamai, SentinelOne]. These sophisticated tactics signal an increasingly perilous forecast for 2025.
So, how are we going to solve this crisis and build true resilience? Read my full article to learn why we invested in UpSight Security and our vision for a ransomware-free future.
Graphic: Ransomware on the Move - Akamai [4]
UpSight Security: Redefining Ransomware Defense
UpSight Security has taken a fundamentally different approach to ransomware defense, leveraging advanced AI and innovative endpoint design to deliver real-time prediction, prevention, and response. Unlike traditional solutions that depend on cloud-based batch processing and daily updates—leaving systems exposed to zero-day attacks—UpSight operates directly on endpoints to stop threats in their tracks.
Here’s what makes UpSight’s solution truly game-changing:
Predicts Threats with Precision - Powered by AI inspired by the MITRE ATT&CK framework, UpSight’s model predicts attack progressions using principles akin to sentence completion. This predictive capability enables the system to anticipate attacker moves before they happen, staying one step ahead of evolving threats.
Intercepts Attacks Before Damage - By accurately predicting the “next move” in an attack, UpSight blocks progression in real time, neutralizing threats before they can cause harm. This proactive defense strategy disrupts the ransomware kill chain, rendering attacks ineffective.
Evicts Attackers Fully and Fast - Unlike solutions that merely block threats, UpSight actively hunts and evicts attackers from endpoints. It identifies all traces of malicious activity—hidden processes, files, registry changes and other persistence techniques—ensuring attackers have no foothold left to exploit.
Restores Systems Instantly - UpSight maintains a comprehensive, real-time inventory of all endpoint events, including files, registry entries, and memory states. This meticulous tracking enables the system to restore affected endpoints to their exact pre-attack state instantly, with no downtime and ensuring seamless business continuity.
By addressing critical gaps in traditional endpoint defenses—such as prediction accuracy, real-time response, and system recovery—UpSight Security delivers not just resilience but true confidence in the face of ransomware.
The Technology Behind the Innovation
At the core of UpSight Security’s breakthrough lies its patented Small Sequence Learning Models (SSLMs)—a highly efficient and lightweight AI-powered system designed for real-time, on-device threat defense. Here’s how it works:
Observes Without Overhead UpSight’s thin clientSSLMs monitors billions of endpoint events directly on the device, continuously analyzing system activity without compromising performance. This ensures uninterrupted business operations while maintaining unparalleled visibility.
Understands Threat Context Using a rich lexicon of “attack words” derived from the MITRE ATT&CK framework, UpSight labels and classifies potential threats based on tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). This contextual understanding enables it to accurately identify malicious behaviors—even those that evade traditional signature-based detection.
Predicts and Neutralizes Future Steps The SSLMs don’t just stop at detection—they predict the attacker’s next move by analyzing the progression of events. By preemptively blocking these future steps, UpSight eliminates threats before they can escalate into full-blown incidents.
What makes this technology even more impactful is its ability to work seamlessly alongside existing Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPPs). By addressing critical gaps in traditional defenses—such as zero-day vulnerabilities and post-breach persistence—UpSight doesn’t replace existing tools; it amplifies them, strengthening your overall security posture.
Why This Matters
As ransomware continues to evolve, leveraging AI and automation to outpace defenses, organizations can no longer rely solely on reactive measures. UpSight Security’s proactive, predictive approach empowers CISOs to stay one step ahead of adversaries, even as GenAI-driven ransomware threats reshape the landscape. By combining threat prediction, interdiction, and rapid attacker eviction, UpSight represents a transformative leap forward in ransomware defense. For organizations facing growing complexity and stakes, this isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a necessity.
Looking Ahead
With a founding team led by industry veterans @Dave Karp, @Tracy Camp and @Svetoslav Vassilev, who bring over four decades of endpoint security expertise, UpSight Security is uniquely positioned to define the future of ransomware defense. Their groundbreaking technology and vision align perfectly with our mission at @Dreamit Ventures to back companies solving cybersecurity’s toughest challenges.
We're proud to partner with @Accomplice.vc, @Patrick Morley, former CEO of Carbon Black, @Oregon Venture Fund, and @Ken Levine, former CEO and GM of NitroSecurity, McAfee, Digital Guardian, and Comodo, as we work to redefine resilience against ransomware.
Ransomware is a problem we can solve together. If you found this article insightful, please share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your perspective!
To learn more about UpSight Security’s cutting-edge approach to ransomware defense or to discuss how innovations like this can strengthen your cybersecurity strategy, reach out at info@upsightsecurity.com.
#Cybersecurity #RansomwareDefense #UpSightSecurity #CISO
Tracy Camp, Svetoslav Vassilev, Dave Karp, Patrick Morley, @Accomplice.vc, Oregon Venture Fund, Dreamit Ventures, Drew Hunt, Darren Sandberg, Evelin Biro
References:
[1] The State Of Ransomware 2024 - Sophos
[2] Global Ransomware Damage Costs Predicted To Exceed $265 Billion By 2031 - Cybersecurity Ventures
[3] Ransomware: The True Cost Of Business 2024 - Cybereason
[4] Ransomware On The Move - Akamai
[5] Us Department Of Justice - July 2024 Press Release
[6] State Of Security 2024 - Splunk
[7] Global Threat Report 2024 - Crowdstrike
[8] Ransomware Payments Are Now A Critical Business Decision - Help Net Security
[9] Average Duration Of Downtime After A Ransomware Attack - Statista
[10] 26 Ransomware Examples Explained in 2025 - SentinelOne
[11] Top 10 Cyberattacks of 2024 - MSSP Alert
[12] Top Cybersecurity Trends To Expect in 2025 - The Hacker News