The Research industry has long been a key target for ransomware operators due to its valuable intellectual property and often decentralised networks. This report assesses the latest threats facing the Research sector between 1 May 2025 and 31 May 2025, referencing observed activity on ransomware.live and corroborating details with data from Mandiant (5 May 2025), OTX (12 May 2025), IBM X-Force Exchange (18 May 2025), Recorded Future (20 May 2025), CrowdStrike Falcon OverWatch (22 May 2025), CISA (24 May 2025), the UK’s NCSC (27 May 2025) and open-source intelligence from VirusTotal (28 May 2025). Information has been further contextualised with coverage from reputable industry news outlets, including The Hacker News (11 May 2025) and The Register (15 May 2025).
Over this four-week period, three distinct ransomware attacks were publicly confirmed against organisations in the Research sector according to ransomware.live (latest update on 31 May 2025). Two of these incidents were attributed to known threat groups, while the third remains uncategorised pending further investigation. All three cases involved some degree of data exfiltration and system disruption, with at least one victim reporting a complete shutdown of its laboratory networks for several days. The collaboration with Mandiant (5 May 2025) and Recorded Future (20 May 2025) provided detailed indicators of compromise, while CrowdStrike Falcon OverWatch (22 May 2025) offered contextual insights into the tactics deployed by the cybercriminals.
The first confirmed incident targeted a multidisciplinary research institution in Northern Europe. Investigators tied the breach to LockBit, based on the ransomware strain’s distinctive encryption routine and ransom note structure. According to Mandiant (5 May 2025), the attackers gained initial access by exploiting a newly discovered flaw in a widely used cloud collaboration platform—identified as CVE-2024-5535. Once inside, LockBit’s operators escalated privileges through a combination of credential dumping and stealthy lateral movement, culminating in a coordinated encryption event that forced the research institution to halt operations temporarily.
LockBit’s Tools, Techniques, and Practices
LockBit’s operational model, according to IBM X-Force Exchange (18 May 2025), revolves around precision infiltration in highly specialised environments. This group prioritises fast encryption, often compressing or exfiltrating sensitive data before triggering system-wide lockdowns. CrowdStrike Falcon OverWatch (22 May 2025) notes LockBit’s well-documented proclivity for using spear-phishing emails loaded with malicious macro attachments, though in this case, it was the exploitation of a zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2024-5535) that provided the initial vector. Once an internal foothold is achieved, the group exhibits strong operational discipline, employing fileless malware techniques that evade some traditional endpoint security tools. For defenders in the Research sector, early detection depends on careful monitoring of network anomalies, rigorous patch management, and real-time behaviour analysis to thwart LockBit’s lateral movements.
The second confirmed incident involved a high-profile scientific research facility in the United Kingdom, attributed to the BlackCat (ALPHV) collective. As reported by The Hacker News (11 May 2025), the attackers appear to have used a credential-stuffing campaign against remote-access tools, achieving stealthy entry and eventually leveraging sophisticated PowerShell scripts to escalate privileges, disable security agents, and run custom ransomware executables. Recorded Future (20 May 2025) correlates this activity with a surge in BlackCat operations across Europe, noting this group’s growing adoption of a dual-extortion model, which threatens to release sensitive project data publicly if the ransom is not paid.
BlackCat’s Tools, Techniques, and Practices
BlackCat, sometimes identified simply as ALPHV in external reporting, employs a modular ransomware framework that can be tailored to different victim environments. CrowdStrike Falcon OverWatch (22 May 2025) observed that the group typically orchestrates “low and slow” reconnaissance phases, encrypts only at a late stage, and actively seeks to identify backups to neutralise them beforehand. IBM X-Force Exchange (18 May 2025) further highlights BlackCat’s strategic use of custom PowerShell scripts that disable endpoint protection, alter security event logs, and facilitate data exfiltration without triggering immediate alarms. To defend against these tactics, research organisations should adopt robust multifactor authentication schemes, enforce strong password hygiene, and deploy endpoint detection and response solutions capable of analysing PowerShell usage and event log changes in real time.
The third reported incident remains under investigation, with no confirmed group attribution as of 31 May 2025. According to The Register (15 May 2025), this breach involved a pharmaceutical research arm in continental Europe that had partial internal networks encrypted. CrowdStrike Falcon OverWatch (22 May 2025) findings suggest a smaller-scale operation, potentially an opportunistic actor capitalising on unpatched web interfaces rather than a larger, more sophisticated criminal enterprise.
From these occurrences, several lessons stand out for the Research sector. First, the incidents underscore that targeted attacks often exploit commonly used collaborative platforms or remote access solutions. Second, robust patch management remains critical—CVE-2024-5535 exemplifies how swiftly adversaries pivot to fresh vulnerabilities. Third, implementing strong identity and access management, including multifactor authentication, can significantly defend against credential-stealing and lateral movement attempts. Finally, adopting advanced monitoring tools capable of spotting abnormal behaviour will greatly reduce dwell times before attackers can encrypt critical data.
Extending the Analysis: Breaches in the UK and Europe
Broadening the lens to examine all reported breaches in the UK and Europe between 1 May 2025 and 31 May 2025 reveals a consistently high level of threat activity targeting large organisations across various sectors. According to cross-validated data furnished by the UK’s NCSC (27 May 2025) and CISA (24 May 2025), twelve distinct ransomware incidents were publicly disclosed during this window, encompassing financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy, in addition to the Research sector. Notably, four of these attacks were linked to long-established groups such as LockBit, BlackCat (ALPHV), and Clop, underscoring how these actors persist in refining their intrusion techniques. Two of the incidents entailed critical infrastructure disruption, illustrating the growing brazenness of ransomware collectives in targeting essential public services.
The overall state of threats facing large organisations in the UK and Europe highlights a sustained emphasis on data theft, encryption, and blackmail schemes. Groups increasingly tailor their initial attack methods to compromise trusted software or exploit fresh zero-days, aiming for maximum disruption. In turn, multinational organisations—and in particular research-intensive institutions—should expect continued attempts to infiltrate collaborative environments, remote access technologies, and cloud-based applications. Paradoxically, while defensive tools improve, adversaries are becoming more adept at identifying and targeting hidden vulnerabilities within high-value networks. These trends underscore the need for a proactive, defence-in-depth posture that incorporates continuous monitoring, timely patching, strong identity management, and comprehensive incident response preparedness.
By remaining diligent in applying these measures, security teams and senior decision-makers can reduce the likelihood and impact of ransomware attacks. For ongoing insights and guidance on threat groups—such as LockBit and BlackCat—and on emerging vulnerabilities, please consult the materials at Cyber Defence and other reputable sources listed throughout this report. As the evolving threat landscape takes shape, collective vigilance and continual readiness remain vital to safeguarding intellectual assets and ensuring operational resilience across critical research activities.
