14 DAY TRIAL // Fortinet has released its 2013 cybercrime report. This latest study highlights the fact that cybercriminal organizations have become just like legitimate businesses, with a well-established hierarchy and everything else that's needed to efficiently run a company.
Similar to any business, the main goal is to make a profit. For this, each of the involved actors – leaders, engineers, infantry or hired money mules – has a specific role.
“The fundamental laws of economics apply here as well. The deliverables run the range from consulting, services, and advertising to a myriad of programs that serve as the 'product.' The more features and/or more complex the service offered, the higher the price,” the report reveals.
On the other hand, despite the fact that they're in most cases well established, these cybercrime rings can be, and have been, dismantled by law enforcement authorities.
Experts believe that the activity of CERTs, the collaboration between various working groups, and domain registrars will continue disrupting their malicious activities.
However, in order to reach a maximum efficiency, a more comprehensive, multi-layered approach to security is needed.
The complete Fortinet 2013 cybercrime report is available on the company's website.