Analysis of State-Sponsored Hacktivism Trends

This report provides an analysis of state-sponsored hacktivism, focusing on the evolution of hacktivist attacks in 2024 and projecting future trends for 2025. It outlines how hacktivist groups, which initially emerged as grassroots movements, have increasingly aligned with nation-state interests, particularly in the context of geopolitical conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine disputes. The report details the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) employed by these groups, highlighting a shift from traditional methods like website defacement to more sophisticated cyber operations targeting critical infrastructure. It documents 780 hacktivist attacks attributed to four prominent groups: BlackJack, Handala Group, Indian Cyber Force, and NoName057(16). The report also discusses the implications of state involvement in hacktivism, including the challenges of attribution and the use of hacktivist personas for disinformation campaigns. Additionally, it offers mitigation recommendations for organizations to enhance their cybersecurity posture against these evolving threats.