Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): What Tech Leaders Need to Know—and Why Your Talent Strategy Must Evolve

The tech industry is booming, contributing to a range of business applications, opportunities, and challenges.

One area experiencing significant growth is cybersecurity, as organizations respond to threats such as ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS). This subscription-based model for deploying ransomware makes cybercrime accessible to non-experts. RaaS is a common criminal activity, accounting for 20% of all cybercrime incidents, and is only becoming more accessible and increasingly sophisticated.

Since the barrier for entry for cybercriminals is low when using the RaaS model, businesses are becoming extremely vulnerable. In 2025 and beyond, RaaS will no longer be just an IT issue. It is a talent strategy challenge that must be addressed now.

The Rise of RaaS and Its Business Implications

RaaS is a business model that involves the sale of ransomware code or malware. Developers sell ransomware code to hackers and threat actors, many of whom have little technical expertise. Those who purchase the code are known as affiliates. These affiliates utilize pre-developed code to initiate attacks, thereby creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

Affiliates profit from extortion without having to create their own malware, while developers increase their profits without launching attacks on networks. These models may be priced as a subscription, a one-time fee, or a revenue split agreement.

In recent history, there have been attacks that resulted in the loss of billions of dollars. For example, in 2024, ALPHV/BlackCat attacked Change Healthcare/UnitedHealth Group. This attack cost the company approximately $2.5 billion overall.

Although the initial ransom can be millions of dollars, there are other costs that contribute to overall losses. From operational downtime to reputational damage and legal fallout, these attacks can destroy a company, regardless of its size.

The Cybersecurity Talent Gap

Companies, regardless of industry or sector, are starting to see the value in having a tech strategy and team dedicated tocyber defense. However, this growing demand for cybersecurity professionals is creating its own challenges, as the supply is relatively scarce.

Some of the most-needed roles include threat analysts, SOC experts, incident responders, and ethical hackers.

And while you may already have an IT team in place, this team alone may not be enough. Cybersecurity is evolving and requires specialized expertise and a strong security culture; responsibility may also be organization-wide. It is not just your IT team that needs to implement security measures — all departments, including HR and legal, need to ensure a holistic security approach.

What Tech Leaders Must Do Now

It is highly recommended that all tech leaders conduct immediate talent audits. Identifying cybersecurity talent gaps now before issues arise could mean all the difference. Do you have the right bench strength? Meaning, do you have the depth of talent you need available to you when the time comes? Are there enough qualified people to step into specific roles when needed?

If not, start by building cross-functional response teams that include IT, legal, PR, and operations. Next, focus on attracting and retaining top talent. The need for cybersecurity professionals will only grow, which is why you’ll want to source talent and also demonstrate a commitment to employee development.

Unsure where to begin?

Partner with recruiters who specialize in cybersecurity placements.

Evolving Talent Strategy to Meet Evolving Threats

There are many strategies available, many of which are not one-size-fits-all.

That said, there are some talent strategies to consider, including:

A shift from reactive hiring to proactive pipelining of cyber talent
An emphasis on upskilling, not just headcount
Leveraging executive search for specialized or leadership cyber roles

RaaS is a Recruiting Challenge, Too

The ransomware threats to businesses are immense, as they can take a significant financial and operational toll. What’s worse is that this threat is evolving so fast. So, RaaS is no longer just a tech issue; it is also a recruiting challenge. As RaaS models evolve and become more sophisticated, your tech hiring strategy must react and move faster.

Organizations that build strong cybersecurity teams are much more likely to weather the storm and gain a competitive advantage.

If you have yet to initiate your cybersecurity recruitment strategy, it is best to speak with experts who have deep expertise and access to top talent. MRINetwork is that partner you seek. Our team goes beyond filling roles. At MRINetwork, we build teams that help drive success. It’s all about placing the right individuals in the right roles, and when it comes to cybersecurity talent, there is no room for error.

Check out our capabilities and find an office to get started today!

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