Telecom
Ransomware Recovery Cost Reaches Nearly $2 Million- Sophos Survey Shows

Sophos, a global leader in next-generation cybersecurity, today announced the findings of its global survey, “The State of Ransomware 2021,” which reveals that the average total cost of recovery from a ransomware attack has more than doubled in a year, increasing from $761,106 in 2020 to $1.85 million in 2021.
The average ransom paid is $170,404. The global findings also show that only 8% of organizations managed to get back all of their data after paying a ransom, with 29% getting back no more than half of their data.
The survey polled 5,400 IT decision makers in mid-sized organizations in 30 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
While the number of organizations that experienced a ransomware attack fell from 51% of respondents surveyed in 2020 to 37% in 2021, and fewer organizations suffered data encryption as the result of a significant attack (54% in 2021 compared to 73% in 2020), the new survey results reveal worrying upward trends, particularly in terms of the impact of a ransomware attack.
“The apparent decline in the number of organizations being hit by ransomware is good news, but it is tempered by the fact that this is likely to reflect, at least in part, changes in attacker behaviors,” said Chester Wisniewski, principal research scientist, Sophos. “We’ve seen attackers move from larger scale, generic, automated attacks to more targeted attacks that include human hands-on-keyboard hacking. While the overall number of attacks is lower as a result, our experience shows that the potential for damage from these more advanced and complex targeted attacks is much higher. Such attacks are also harder to recover from, and we see this reflected in the survey in the doubling of overall remediation costs.”
The main findings of the State of Ransomware 2021 global survey include:
· The average cost of remediating a ransomware attack more than doubled in the last 12 months. Remediation costs, including business downtime, lost orders, operational costs, and more, grew from an average of $761,106 in 2020 to $1.85 million in 2021. This means that the average cost of recovering from a ransomware attack is now 10 times the size of the ransom payment, on average
· The average ransom paid was $170,404. While $3.2 million was the highest payment out of those surveyed, the most common payment was $10,000. Ten organizations paid ransoms of $1 million or more
· The number of organizations that paid the ransom increased from 26% in 2020 to 32% in 2021, although fewer than one in 10 (8%) managed to get back all of their data
“The findings confirm the brutal truth that when it comes to ransomware, it doesn’t pay to pay. Despite more organizations opting to pay a ransom, only a tiny minority of those who paid got back all their data,” said Wisniewski.
“This could be in part because using decryption keys to recover information can be complicated. What’s more, there’s no guarantee of success. For instance, as we saw recently with DearCry and Black Kingdom ransomware, attacks launched with low quality or hastily compiled code and techniques can make data recovery difficult, if not impossible.”
· More than half (54%) of respondents believe cyberattacks are now too advanced for their IT team to handle on their own
· Extortion without encryption is on the rise. A small, but important 7% said that their data was not encrypted, but they were held to ransom anyway, possibly because the attackers had managed to steal their information. In 2020, this figure was 3%
“Recovering from a ransomware attack can take years and is about so much more than just decrypting and restoring data,” said Wisniewski. “Whole systems need to be rebuilt from the ground up and then there is the operational downtime and customer impact to consider, and much more. Further, the definition of what constitutes a ‘ransomware’ attack is evolving. For a small, but significant minority of respondents, the attacks involved payment demands without data encryption.
“This could be because they had anti-ransomware technologies in place to block the encryption stage or because the attackers simply chose not to encrypt the data. It is likely that the attackers were demanding payment in return for not leaking stolen information online. A recent example of this approach involved the Clop ransomware gang and a known financially-motivated threat actor hitting around a dozen alleged victims with extortion-only attacks.
“In short, it is more important than ever to protect against adversaries at the door, before they get a chance to take hold and unfold their increasingly multi-faceted attacks. Fortunately, if organizations are attacked, they don’t have to face this challenge alone. Support is available 24/7 in the form of external security operations centers, human-led threat hunting and incident response services.”
The main findings of the State of Ransomware 2021 for Nigeria:
· 22% of respondents from Nigeria had experienced a ransomware attack in the last 12 months, compared to 53% in 2020
· 39% of respondents from Nigeria that weren’t hit by ransomware in the last 12 months but expect to be hit in the future, believe that ransomware attacks are getting increasingly hard to stop due to their sophistication
· 26% of respondents from Nigeria that weren’t hit by ransomware in the last 12 months but expect to be hit in the future, say it is hard to stop their users from compromising the organization’s security
Sophos recommends the following six best practices to help defend against ransomware and related cyberattacks:
1. Assume you will be hit. Ransomware remains highly prevalent. No sector, country or organization size is immune from the risk. It’s better to be prepared, but not hit, rather than the other way round
2. Make backups and keep a copy offline. Backups are the main method organizations surveyed used to recover their data after an attack. Opt for the industry standard approach of 3:2:1 (three sets of backups, using two different media, one of which is kept offline)
3. Deploy layered protection. As more ransomware attacks also involve extortion, it is more important than ever to keep adversaries out in the first place. Use layered protection to block attackers at as many points as possible across an estate
4. Combine human experts and anti-ransomware technology. The key to stopping ransomware is defense in depth that combines dedicated anti-ransomware technology and human-led threat hunting. Technology provides the scale and automation an organization needs, while human experts are best able to detect the tell-tale tactics, techniques and procedures that indicate an attacker is attempting to get into the environment. If you don’t have the skills in house, look at enlisting the support of a specialist cybersecurity company – Security Operation Centers (SOCs) are now realistic options for organizations of all sizes
5. Don’t pay the ransom. Easy to say, but far less easy to do when an organization has ground to a halt due to a ransomware attack. Independent of any ethical considerations, paying the ransom is an ineffective way to get data back. If you do decide to pay, bear in mind that the adversaries will restore, on average, only two-thirds of your files
6. Have a malware recovery plan. The best way to stop a cyberattack from turning into a full breach is to prepare in advance. Organizations that fall victim to an attack often realize they could have avoided significant financial loss and disruption, if they had an incident response plan in place
The State of Ransomware 2021 survey report is available in full on Sophos.com.
The State of Ransomware 2021 survey was conducted by Vanson Bourne, an independent specialist in market research, in January and February 2021. The survey interviewed 5,400 IT decision makers in 30 countries, in the US, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Austria, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Israel, UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. All respondents were from organizations with between 100 and 5,000 employees.
Sophos Intercept X protects users by detecting the actions and behaviors of ransomware and other attacks.
Telecom
MTN Urges Nigerian to Regards Telecom Infrastructure as National Assets

Ikenna Ikeme, general manager of Regulatory Affairs at MTN Nigeria, has called on citizens and authorities to regard telecommunications infrastructure as vital national assets rather than merely the property of telecom providers.
Ikeme made these remarks while sharing his perspective as a member of the telecommunications industry and his experience in the regulatory field with participants of the MTN Media Innovation Programme in Lagos.
Highlighting the urgency, Ikeme stated that network infrastructure is often targeted during disputes with telecom companies, leading to deliberate acts of vandalism or service disruptions.
He stressed that such critical assets deserve the same level of protection as any essential national facility, arguing, “You cannot destroy national infrastructure or shut it down whenever there is a grievance.
With the protection of the government, the current administration has declared telecommunications infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, deserving of this level of security. “
Ikeme expressed optimism that this development would reduce destructive incidents and foster a more stable environment for telecommunications services.
Looking ahead, Ikeme reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to long-term investment in Nigeria, stating that, ‘we intend to remain, to grow, and to keep contributing positively to the nation’s development.’
In closing, Ikeme touched on the evolving landscape of telecommunications in Nigeria, noting the importance of media support in promoting constructive narratives.
Telecom
Bitget Launches $6M Global Crypto Trading Contest with New Competitive Segments

Bitget, a cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has launched its annual global trading competition with a total prize pool of six million USDT.
In a statement made available to our correspondent on Sunday, the company disclosed that the contest includes new segments such as team battles, bot trading, copy trading, and on-chain trading. Participants from over 100 countries are expected to join the competition.
According to Bitget Chief Executive Officer Gracy Chen, the event is designed to promote community participation and trading activity across multiple formats. She said the competition will include region-based leaderboards, early registration rewards, and opportunities for top traders.
Chen said, “Every year during KCGI we witness traders across the globe strategise, synchronise, and innovate. There’s a lot of community and teamwork involved; KCGI is our way of showing gratitude to our top traders. That said, we’re excited to kick off this year’s competition with six million USDT up for grabs and a range of dynamic challenges ahead. We’re inviting our community to lead, win, and shape the future of trading.”
She noted that participants may get rewards beyond trading performance, including access to LALIGA matchdays, MotoGP passes, and other non-cash prizes.
The competition introduces four main categories: Team Battle, Copy Trading Showdown, Bot Trading Competition, and On-chain Arena. Each category focuses on a different aspect of digital asset trading and strategy execution.
“The official Team Battle segment begins July 24, but the smart money moves early. Traders who register now not only secure their seat, but they also set the tone for the event. Get in early. Build your team. Shape the leaderboard. KCGI 2025: This isn’t just trading; it’s a full-on battle with rewards.” She said.
Telecom
Operators Seek Action Over Persistent Vandalization of Telecommunications Infrastructure Across Nigeria

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has expressed deep concern over the increasing wave of vandalization and theft of telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
According to a statement signed by Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, “since the Federal Government’s decisive interventions earlier this year to support industry sustainability, our members have committed unprecedented levels of investment in network optimization and capacity upgrades. New systems are being deployed, transmission equipment modernized, power systems overhauled, and thousands of kilometers of fiber optic networks currently being laid and expanded.
“Our industry has not seen this scale of investment in recent years. We are working round the clock to improve the quality of service nationwide and we cannot afford these setbacks.
“Unfortunately, between May and July, 2025, multiple incidents of vandalism were recorded across cell sites in Rivers, Ogun, Osun, Imo, Kogi, Ekiti, Lagos, Federal Capital Territory Abuja and many other states.
“These acts of sabotage have significantly disrupted network services, causing widespread connectivity blackouts leading to degradation of services and severely impacting millions of subscribers”.
He noted that, the affected infrastructure, primarily belong to ALTON members, as well as other network operators and those who depend on operators for connectivity.
He said identified critical components targeted to include; power cables, rectifiers, fiber optic cables, feeder cables, diesel generators, batteries, and solar systems are vandalized and stolen from active sites.
“These are not mere materials, but they are the backbone of our digital economy, security systems, and national communications grid.
“We are alarmed at the frequency, intensity, and geographical spread of these incidents. States such as Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Kogi, FCT, Kaduna, Niger, Osun, Kwara and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have recorded the highest number of attacks on telecom infrastructure. These attacks have led to prolonged downtimes, network congestion, widespread blackouts, and degradation of service quality.
The public he said, must be reminded that telecommunications infrastructure is classified as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) under the National Security framework. This classification is backed by Federal Government Gazette No. 133, Volume 108, dated 17th March 2021. Vandalism, sabotage, or illegal possession of these assets is a serious criminal offense with grave consequences.
ALTON expressed concerned about the rising market for stolen telecom equipment, such as:
– Power Cables, Power rectifiers, which are stolen from base station and sold into open markets
– Batteries which are stolen from base stations and sold for home and office inverters.
– Solar panels that are stripped from telecom sites and resold to unsuspecting households.
– Diesel fuel being siphoned from sites and traded on the grey market.
“We urge the public to be vigilant and refrain from purchasing suspicious items. If you buy stolen telecom equipment, you are not just complicit you are part of the crime.
We appeal to every Nigerian to please join us in the fight against the vandalization of telecom infrastructure.
“These assets serve us all, they enable our banking systems, security infrastructure, emergency response, education, health services, and the very platforms that power daily communication. An attack on telecom infrastructure is an attack on our economy and our security.
“A second, recurring and deeply worrying issue is the widespread damage to underground fiber optic cables caused by road construction and related civil infrastructure projects along major highways and urban roads. These activities have led to significant service outages and financial losses,” he added.
ALTON called on: – the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Inspector General of Police, the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
to immediately deploy the necessary resources to protect telecommunications infrastructure and prevent a total breakdown of communications across the country.
“We commend the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its proactive efforts in safeguarding national telecom infrastructure, particularly through the creation of a dedicated reporting portal.
“This initiative empowers citizens to play an active role in protecting critical assets by reporting incidents of vandalism or suspicious activity via protect@ncc.gov.ng or by dialing 622.
“Such forward-thinking measures are vital to ensuring the resilience and security of our communications network. This is a desperate and urgent hour. The industry cannot fight this battle alone. We need coordinated national action by the security agencies, the government at all levels, regulators, the media, civil society, and the public. Our national security, economic stability, and digital future depend on it,” the statement noted.
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