The Intelligence from The Economist Wrong side of the hack: cybercrime grows
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Oct 14, 2025 
In this intriguing discussion, Alex Hearn, Technology correspondent for The Economist, delves into the alarming rise of cyberattacks, particularly ransomware tactics targeting major firms. He highlights the drastic shift from stealthy theft to destructive demands for payment. Tom Gardner, Africa correspondent, sheds light on the complexities of counting conflict-related deaths in Africa, emphasizing how this uncertainty affects humanitarian efforts and policy. Together, they unpack critical implications for both technology and global aid.
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Ransomware Has Become Deliberately Destructive
- Ransomware has shifted from stealthy data theft to deliberately destructive attacks that force operational shutdowns.
- Small ransom payments (<$1bn globally) cause far larger economic damage, as shown by Jaguar Land Rover's collapse and UK loan underwriting.
Jaguar Land Rover Shutdown And Supply Shock
- Jaguar Land Rover's hack halted production and threatened suppliers, forcing a £1.5bn UK loan to keep firms afloat.
- The disruption shows how one major cyber incident can cascade through an entire industrial ecosystem.
Harden All Systems And Vet Outsourced IT
- Fix every potential entry point, including embedded and seemingly trivial devices, because anything can be a way in.
- Avoid outsourcing core IT security to the cheapest provider and ensure rigorous vetting and procedures.