The first half of 2021 signaled a new dawn for the COVID-19 pandemic, with proof that immunization programs can dramatically reduce infection rates and disease severity.1 With a return to normal in sight for some countries with advanced economies, the global economy expanded at a rate of 5.6 percent—the strongest post-recession pace in 80 years.

At the same time, cybercrime has continued to rise sharply, perhaps fueled by its potential for profit, while on the other hand, workforces are overwhelmed and vulnerable. Ransomware attacks, for example, are estimated to have grown 116% between January and May of this year3 and ransomware payments are increasing.

To help defenders of OT/IoT environments and the security community, this report focuses on three important areas: ransomware, new vulnerability disclosures and the security risks of IoT security cameras. It provides insights for re-evaluating your risk models and security programs, along with actionable recommendations for securing operational systems.