Cybersecurity professionals have long sensed what the numbers now confirm: we are in the midst of a historic surge in breach activity. RiskRecon's new study of 20,241 publicly reported breaches from 196,000 monitored organizations spanning 2015 to 2024 shows that cyber threats have grown 450% in just ten years.
From ransomware outbreaks to insider mishaps, this data-rich report offers a powerful window into how the threat landscape has evolved—and what organizations can do to prepare for what comes next.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Breaches Are BoomingBack in 2015, just 591 breach events were publicly reported across the study population. Fast forward to 2023, and that number jumped to 3,761. While 2024 brought a slight dip to 2,647 breaches, the decade-long trend is unmistakable: cyber risk is increasing fast.
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Compound annual growth rate: 16%
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1.3% of companies reported a breach in 2024
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1.8% of companies reported a breach in 2023 (the peak year)
Breach events have become both more frequent and more complex, driven by evolving threat vectors like ransomware and partner-based compromises.
Ransomware Takes Center StageRansomware has shifted from a niche nuisance to the leading driver of breach events. In 2015, RiskRecon tracked just two ransomware incidents. By 2024, ransomware accounted for 1,403 events—50% of all breach events that year.
This rise highlights how adversaries continue to mature their tactics, making extortion more profitable and widespread than ever. Organizations need layered defenses that extend beyond endpoint protection to include monitoring of third parties and cloud environments.
The Hidden Risk: Third PartiesWhile many breaches still stem from direct attacks on enterprise infrastructure, partner and vendor-related breaches have surged.
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Partner-related breaches overtook insider threats in 2019
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In 2024, 27% of breaches were traced back to partners, compared to just 6% from insiders
This underscores the importance of assessing and managing third-party cyber risk. A strong internal security posture is only part of the equation. RiskRecon's platform offers continuous visibility into vendor hygiene to help close these gaps.
Why This Report MattersThis isn't just a historical retrospective. It's a playbook for the future of cyber risk management. Understanding where breaches occur, how they propagate, and why certain companies are more vulnerable gives risk leaders the insights needed to make smarter, faster decisions.
Download the full report to access detailed charts, industry-specific breach rates, and risk insights designed to help you:
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Benchmark breach rates by industry, geography, and company size
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Understand the rising risk of ransomware and partner-based threats
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Correlate cyber hygiene with breach frequency
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Prioritize your vendor risk management and monitoring efforts
Bottom Line:The past ten years have taught us a simple lesson: breaches are no longer a matter of "if" but "how often." Use the data to your advantage. Get proactive, get visibility, and get ahead of the next wave of cyber threats.
