Evolution of the Ransomware Phenomenon: Analysis of the Cybergangs Business Model

Overview

This post refers to the academic work “Evolution of the Ransomware Phenomenon: Analysis of the Cybergangs Business Model”, developed by Giulio Santabarbara within the research activities focused on ransomware ecosystems and cybercriminal business dynamics at the University of Sannio.

The work examines the evolution of ransomware groups from a business-model perspective, with attention to organizational structures, monetization strategies, and the economic mechanisms that sustain cybercriminal operations. This perspective helps frame ransomware not only as a technical threat, but also as an adaptive and profit-driven ecosystem.