Ransomware is a type of malicious software that prevents victims from accessing their computers and the information they have stored. Typically, victims are required to pay a ransom, usually using cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, to regain access. Ransomware attacks pose a significant threat to national security, and there has been a substantial increase in such attacks in the post-Covid era. In response to these threats, large enterprises have begun implementing better cybersecurity practices, such as deploying data loss prevention mechanisms and improving backup strategies. However, cybercriminals have developed a hybrid variant called Ransomware 2.0. In this variation, sensitive data is stolen before being encrypted, allowing cybercriminals to publicly release the information if the ransom is not paid. Cybercriminals also take advantage of cryptocurrency’s anonymity and untraceability. Ransomware 3.0 is an emerging threat in which cybercriminals target critical infrastructures and tamper with the data stored on computing devices. Unlike in traditional ransomware attacks, cybercriminals are more interested in the actual data on the victims’ devices, particularly from critical enterprises such as government, healthcare, education, defense, and utility providers. State-based cyber actors are more interested in disrupting critical infrastructures rather than seeking financial benefits via cryptocurrency. Additionally, these sophisticated cyber actors are also interested in obtaining trade secrets and gathering confidential information. It is worth noting that the misinformation caused by ransomware attacks can severely impact critical infrastructures and can serve as a primary weapon in information warfare in today’s age. In recent events, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to several countries retaliating against Russia. A ransomware group threatened cyber-attacks on the critical infrastructure of these countries. Experts warned that this could be the most widespread ransomware gang globally and is linked to a trend of Russian hackers supporting the Kremlin’s ideology. Ensuring cyber safety from ransomware attacks has become a national security priority for many nations across the world. The evolving variants of ransomware attacks present a wider and more challenging threat landscape, highlighting the need for collaborative work throughout the entire cyber ecosystem value chain. In response to this evolving threat, a book addressing the challenges associated with ransomware is very timely. This book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution, trends, techniques, impact on critical infrastructures and national security, countermeasures, and open research directions in this area. It will serve as a valuable source of knowledge on the topic.

The threat landscape is evolving with tremendous speed. We are facing an extremely fast-growing attack surface with a diversity of attack vectors, a clear asymmetry between attackers and defenders, billions of connected IoT devices, mostly reactive detection and mitigation approaches, and finally big data challenges. The clear asymmetry of attacks and the enormous amount of data are additional arguments to make it necessary to rethink cybersecurity approaches in terms of reducing the attack surface, to make the attack surface dynamic, to automate the detection, risk assessment, and mitigation, and to investigate the prediction and prevention of attacks with the utilization of emerging technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence and machine learning. This book contains eleven chapters dealing with different Cybersecurity Issues in Emerging Technologies. The issues that are discussed and analyzed include smart connected cars, unmanned ships, 5G/6G connectivity, blockchain, agile incident response, hardware assisted security, ransomware attacks, hybrid threats and cyber skills gap. Both theoretical analysis and experimental evaluation of state-of-the-art techniques are presented and discussed. Prospective readers can be benefitted in understanding the future implications of novel technologies and proposed security solutions and techniques. Graduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, academics, cybersecurity professionals, and business leaders will find this book useful, which is planned to enlighten both beginners and experienced readers.

This book has a two-fold mission: to explain and facilitate digital transition in business organizations using information and communications technology and to address the associated growing threat of cyber crime and the challenge of creating and maintaining effective cyber protection. The book begins with a section on Digital Business Transformation, which includes chapters on tools for integrated marketing communications, human resource workplace digitalization, the integration of the Internet of Things in the workplace, Big Data, and more. The technologies discussed aim to help businesses and entrepreneurs transform themselves to align with today’s modern digital climate. The Evolution of Business in the Cyber Age: Digital Transformation, Threats, and Security provides a wealth of information for those involved in the development and management of conducting business online as well as for those responsible for cyber protection and security. Faculty and students, researchers, and industry professionals will find much of value in this volume.

"This book offers a variety of perspectives on issues, problems, and innovative solutions and strategies that are linked to cybersecurity and its an impact on private and public organizations, government institutions, and consumers interacting on digital data"--

The Evolution of Business in the Cyber Age: Digital Transformation, Threats, and Security provides a wealth of information for those involved in the development and management of conducting business online as well as for those responsible for cyber protection and security.

Advances in Aerial Sensing and Imaging This groundbreaking book is a comprehensive guide to the technology found in the complex field of aerial sensing and imaging, and the real-world challenges that stem from its growing significance and demand. The advent of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, along with advancements in sensor technology and image processing techniques, has further enhanced the capabilities and applications of aerial sensing and imaging. These developments have opened up new research, innovation, and exploration avenues. Aerial sensing and imaging have rapidly evolved over the past few decades and have revolutionized several fields, including land cover and usage prediction, crop and livestock management, road accident monitoring, poverty estimation, defense, agriculture, forest fire detection, UAV security issues, and open parking management. This book provides a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the underlying technology and its practical applications in different domains. Audience Computer science and artificial intelligence researchers working in the fields of aerial sensing and imaging, as well as professionals working in industries such as agriculture, geology, surveying, urban planning, disaster response, etc; this book provides them with practical guidance and instruction on how to apply aerial sensing and imaging for various purposes and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the domain.

This book gathers selected research papers presented at the AICTE-sponsored International Conference on IoT Inclusive Life (ICIIL 2019), which was organized by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chandigarh, India, on December 19–20, 2019. In contributions by active researchers, the book presents innovative findings and important developments in IoT-related studies, making it a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and industrial professionals around the globe.