General News
Manufacturers Block More Ransomware, But Data Theft Surges – Sophos Report
Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced new findings from the Sophos State of Ransomware in Manufacturing and Production 2025 report.
Sophos
The study reveals that manufacturers are stopping more ransomware attacks before data can be encrypted; however, adversaries are increasingly stealing data and using extortion-only tactics to maintain pressure.
As a result, more than half of manufacturing organizations impacted by encryption paid the ransom despite progress in defensive measures. The report is based on an independent survey of 332 manufacturing organizations that were hit by ransomware in the last year.
The Sophos State of Ransomware in Manufacturing and Production report found:
● Encryption rates are falling, but adversaries are shifting tactics: 40% of attacks on manufacturers resulted in data encryption, the lowest level in five years and down from 74% last year. However, extortion only attacks surged to 10% from just 3% in 2024 as attackers increase reliance on data theft for leverage.
● Data theft remains a significant concern: 39% of manufacturers that experienced encryption also had data stolen, one of the highest rates across all surveyed sectors.
● More organizations are stopping attacks before encryption: 50% of manufacturing organizations stopped the attack before data could be encrypted, more than double last year’s 24%.
● Expertise shortfalls and inadequate protection fuel attacks: Lack of expertise was cited by 42.5% of organizations. Unknown security gaps were cited by 41.6%, and a lack of protection by 41%. Respondents identified an average of three internal factors that contributed to the attack.
● More than half of manufacturers with encrypted data paid the ransom: 51% of affected organizations paid the ransom. The median ransom paid was $1 million dollars, compared to a median demand of $1.2 million dollars.
● Recovery costs and timelines are improving: The average cost to recover from a ransomware attack, excluding ransom payment, declined by 24% to $1.3 million dollars. 58% of manufacturers fully recovered within one week, up from 44% last year.
● Ransomware incidents affect IT and security teams: 47% of manufacturers reported increased team stress after experiencing data encryption. 44% said pressure from senior leaders increased, and 27% reported leadership change as a result of the attack.
“Manufacturing depends on interconnected systems where even brief downtime can stop production and ripple across supply chains,” said Alexandra Rose, Director of Threat Research, Sophos Counter Threat Unit. “Attackers exploit this pressure: despite encryption rates falling to 40%, the median ransom paid still reached $1 million. While half of manufacturers stopped attacks before encryption, recovery costs average $1.3 million and leadership stress remains high. Layered defenses, continuous visibility, and well-rehearsed response plans are essential to reduce both operational impact and financial risk.”
What Sophos is Seeing in Manufacturing
Over the past twelve months, Sophos X-Ops has observed ransomware activity across leak sites and found that 99 distinct threat groups targeted manufacturing organizations.
The most prominent groups targeting manufacturing organizations based on leak site observations are GOLD SAHARA (Akira), GOLD FEATHER (Qilin) and GOLD ENCORE (PLAY). Reflecting the trends revealed in the report, in over half of the ransomware incidents that
Sophos Emergency Incident Response was brought in to remediate, attackers both stole and encrypted data, highlighting the use of double extortion tactics where data is held for ransom and threatened with release on a leak site.
Strengthening Defenses for the Long Term
Based on its experience protecting manufacturing organizations worldwide, Sophos recommends the following best practices to help businesses stay ahead of ransomware and other cyberthreats:
● Eliminate Root Causes: Take proactive steps to address common technical and operational weaknesses—such as exploited vulnerabilities—that adversaries frequently target. Solutions like Sophos Managed Risk can help organizations assess their exposure and reduce risk across their environments.
● Defend Every Endpoint: Ensure all endpoints, including servers, are protected with dedicated anti-ransomware defenses to prevent attacks from gaining a foothold.
● Plan and Prepare: Establish and routinely test a comprehensive incident response plan. Maintain reliable backups and practice data restoration regularly to minimize downtime in the event of an attack.
● Monitor Around the Clock: Continuous visibility is essential. Organizations without in-house resources can strengthen their resilience by partnering with a trusted Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider.
NigComSat-1R, a Nigerian geostationary communications satellite will outlive its usefulness this year, meaning that the satellite will expire anytime now.
NigComSat-1R was launched by China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) for Nigeria on December 19, 2011, as a replacement for the failed NigComSat-1.
NigComSat-1 which was put in the orbit in May 2007, was de-orbited in November 2008 following the development of power fault.
It was replaced with NigComSat-1R by the same company and has a lifespan of 15 years.
Positioned at 42.5°E, it provides C, Ku, Ka, and L-band services across Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia for broadcasting and internet.
Should the satellite fail, support for television broadcasting, internet connectivity, and secure communications for government and private sectors, may be affected.
The satellite is currently been controlled from China since 2019 following technical issues with the Abuja control station.
NigComSat-1R is currently the only active communications satellite managed by NIGCOMSAT Limited, though it operates alongside other Nigerian observation satellites.
Federal government has declared Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.
Consequently, banks, schools and offices nationwide will be shut for the two days.
The declaration was made by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of Interior, on behalf of the government, according to a statement issued on Tuesday, by Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary of the ministry.
Eid-el-Fitr, meaning ‘festival of breaking the fast,’ is one of the most important feasts in Islam.
The festival marks the end of Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection observed by Muslims worldwide.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs as an act of devotion to Allah.
Eid-el-Fitr is a time of joy and gratitude, beginning with a special congregational prayer at mosques and open prayer grounds.
It is also marked by feasting, gift-giving, and charitable acts, particularly the giving of Zakat al-Fitr, a mandatory charity given to the less privileged before the Eid prayer.
Congratulating Muslim faithful on the successful completion of Ramadan, Tunji-Ojo urged them to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice imbibed during the period.
He also called on Nigerians to use the festive season to pray for the peace, unity, and continued development of the country.
The minister further encouraged citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the spirit of the season.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.
Residents of Akute and surrounding communities now have direct access to world-class technology training following the launch of a new retail center by New Horizons Nigeria.
Mr. Tim Akano
The newly commissioned center, strategically located in Akute, is expected to serve learners and professionals across Alagbado, Ajuwon, Matogun, Lambe, Ojodu-Berger, Isheri, Giwa, Iju-Ishaga, Ishasi, and Oke-Aro.
This initiative has brought internationally recognized ICT training closer to thousands of young people and working adults. For years, distance and accessibility have limited many aspiring tech professionals from enrolling in structured, global-standard programs. With this expansion, residents no longer need to travel long distances to acquire in-demand digital skills.
New Horizons Nigeria, widely recognized as Africa’s largest ICT training organization, continues to strengthen its footprint in Nigeria’s digital education sector.
In 2025, the institution received the prestigious Best ICT Training Company award from CompTIA in South Africa. This further reinforce its leadership position within the continent’s technology training ecosystem.
As a franchise of New Horizons International, which operates in over 90 countries across six continents, the organization has consistently aligned with global best practices while addressing local capacity gaps.
The organization currently provides ICT training services to more than 30 universities and nearly 200 high schools nationwide.
The center would be used for the training of high-end technical courses like Cyber Security, Web Development, Artificial intelligence, Full Stack, Graphics and CompTIA courses like Hardware, Network and Security Plus.
New Horizons trains over 100,000 students yearly across 27 universities and 150 secondary schools, as well as corporate organizations, government agencies and retail offices.
Students trained by New Horizons Nigeria are always well-sought after in the labour market after graduation and the certificate they obtain are recognized in all the 90 countries where New Horizons have offices.
Speaking on the broader vision behind the expansion, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tim Akano, emphasized that the future of the nation’s economy depends largely on accessible and practical tech education.
He noted that in today’s digital economy, virtually 100 percent of jobs require some level of IT skill, regardless of one’s field of study. From finance and healthcare to agriculture, media, engineering and public administration, technology now drives productivity and competitiveness.
He further stated that IT has evolved from being a specialized field to becoming a foundational requirement for career growth and wealth creation. Acquiring digital skills, he stressed, remains one of the most strategic pathways to higher earning potential and long-term financial stability.
Furthermore, he stated that young Nigerians considering relocation abroad need to prioritize acquiring IT skills before traveling.
He asserted that obtaining internationally relevant technology training outside Nigeria is significantly more expensive than enrolling locally.
By gaining these skills locally, individuals position themselves for better opportunities overseas. Rather than struggling to survive in low-paying or unrelated jobs, they can compete as skilled professionals in global labour markets.
Also, holding a globally recognized certifications from New Horizons Nigeria gives candidates a competitive edge, and enhances their credibility and employability abroad.
As of January 2026, New Horizons Nigeria and its CEO have collectively received over 320 national, continental, and international awards, making them one of the most decorated institutions and individuals in Nigeria’s technology, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment space.
The launch of the Akute retail center signals more than physical expansion; it represents a deliberate effort to democratize access to technology education at the grassroots level. With increasing demand for skills in cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, software development, and digital business solutions, the new center is positioned to become a hub for digital transformation within Ogun State and its border communities.
SEC Shuts Over 400 Fraudulent Investment Schemes, Arrests Operators
NigComSat-1R, Nigeria’s Only Satellite to Expire this Year
Nigeria, Ghana Trigger Stunning 45 Percent Surge in MTN Dividends
Banks, Offices to Close for Thursday and Friday for Eid-el-Fitr
ATCIS Urges FG to Ensure Safety of Consumers Data
Kaspersky Discovers New Phishing Campaign Exploiting Google Tasks Notifications to Steal Corporate Credentials
esentry 2025 Report Shows Healthcare, Financial Services and Telecoms as Staging Grounds for Increased Cyberattacks in Africa
AfDB, UNDP Launch $10Bn AI Initiative for Africa
Mutual Benefits Assurance Settles ₦5.9bn Claims in January 2026
MultiChoice Suspends Yearly DStv Price Hike as Canal+ Pushes Growth
E-Financial3 days agoCBN Rolls Out New Rules for Safer Instant Payments, More Customer Control
News3 days agoNIMMME Inaugurates Engr. Michael Orekyeh as 13th National Chairman in Abuja
E-Financial3 days agoCBN Tightens BVN Rules to Curb Fraudulent Banking Transactions
Telecom3 days agoMTN Nigeria Races Ahead in Fibre Broadband Market
Broadcasting2 days agoSpotify’s Loud & Clear Report Reveals Over ₦60Bn Revenue for Nigerian Artists in 2025
E-Financial3 days agoNova Bank Appoints Jude Anele as Managing Director/CEO
E-Business3 days agoTech Expert Unveils BAT-BOT AI App to Curb Fake News ahead of 2027 Elections
Telecom2 days agoPwC Warns Nigeria Telcos of AI Fraud Risks