Understanding the internal structure of ransomware criminal groups: A case study of Conti

Lunchtime Lecture by Dr. Chad Whelan.
Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm.
Hybrid format: In room C-1017-13, Pavillon Lionel-Groulx, Université de Montréal, and online.

Registration is required only for Zoom.

In-person attendance is available without the need for registration.

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Summary:

While existing research has made significant advances on the structure of cyber-criminal groups, recent studies have emphasized the need for deeper insights into the structural and relational dynamics of cybercriminal networks. In this paper, we seek to contribute to existing literature by examining one of the most well-known ransomware criminal groups in recent years: Conti. Conti was active from early-2020 to mid-2022 and, according to some estimates, generated the most revenue of all ransomware groups in 2021. We use what have become known as the ‘Conti chat leaks’, which emerged in early 2022, to advance understanding of the structure and operations of this cyber-criminal group. We begin by reflecting on the similarities and differences between ransomware criminal groups and organised crime. We then examine how contemporary ransomware criminal groups are internally structured before turning to our study’s implications for preventing and disrupting their activities.

Biography:

Dr Chad Whelan

Professor of Criminology and Deputy Director, Deakin Centre for Cyber Research and Innovation, Deakin University, Australia. He principally conducts research in cybercrime, organised crime, and security. Much of his research involves applying network perspectives to these and other problems. His research has attracted over $5 million from various funding sources, nationally and internationally, and has published widely in leading outlets addressing these and related topics. Recent publications have appeared in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Global Crime; International Journal of Police Science and Management; Journal of Criminology; and Social Networks.

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