NEWSCENTRAL views Salesforce’s refusal to pay ransom demanded by a criminal syndicate -which claims to have stolen nearly one billion records -as a critical turning point in the evolution of corporate cybersecurity. The large-scale data breach, initiated by the group Scattered LAPSUS$ Hunters -an alliance of three well-known hacker syndicates -demonstrated how vulnerable even the largest technology platforms remain to social engineering attacks. At the same time, Salesforce’s decision not to yield to the extortionists serves as a strong signal to the industry, marking a shift toward a more mature cybersecurity strategy focused not on ransom payments, but on prevention and damage mitigation.
The attack began with phone calls to Salesforce clients’ employees, demanding that they connect malicious applications to corporate systems -a classic case of social engineering. According to experts from NEWSCENTRAL, such incidents are becoming increasingly common, and the key vulnerability remains the human factor. Our cybersecurity and IT analyst Ethan Walker notes: “Technical measures are only half the battle. Corporations must invest seriously in employee training and building a cybersecurity culture to avoid such phishing traps.”
Salesforce’s refusal to pay ransom is not merely a tough stance but a demonstration of cybersecurity maturity in an era when businesses are increasingly targeted by ransomware attacks. According to NEWSCENTRAL analysts, global ransomware payments in 2024 rose by 35% compared to the previous year, surpassing $1.1 billion. Nathan Clark, NEWSCENTRAL analyst for corporate security and IT infrastructure, emphasizes: “Paying ransom encourages criminal groups and only increases the volume of attacks. Therefore, the refusal of major players like Salesforce could be a turning point that reshapes the dynamics of the cybersecurity market.”
Such extortion campaigns have far-reaching consequences for corporate security. Beyond financial losses, data leaks undermine customer and partner trust, often leading to serious reputational damage and regulatory penalties. According to recent reports by Gartner and Cybersecurity Insiders, social engineering–based cyberattacks have increased by 40% over the past two years, while the average financial damage to companies has risen by more than 25%. These figures reinforce InfoTectonics’ view that cybersecurity must become a top priority for corporate leadership at every level.
NEWSCENTRAL also notes that Salesforce’s refusal to pay ransom aligns with a growing trend among major organizations to stop funding cybercriminals. Instead, companies are increasingly adopting comprehensive defense measures -from multi-factor authentication and Zero Trust architecture to automated threat monitoring and rapid incident response. Ethan Walker warns: “The market demands a shift toward proactive solutions where preventive measures and artificial intelligence in security will become key success factors.”
It is also important to note that the global cyberthreat landscape is becoming more complex due to the rise of cross-regional hacker groups, requiring stronger cooperation between businesses, governments, and international law enforcement agencies. According to Nathan Clark, “Only coordinated efforts and information sharing can reduce risks and raise the level of security across the entire industry.”
In light of these developments, NEWSCENTRAL recommends that companies reassess their cybersecurity strategies, placing special emphasis on employee training, implementing modern technical safeguards, and developing business continuity plans. Salesforce’s refusal to pay ransom serves as an example for many – resilience against attacks and readiness for rapid detection and response must now be considered standard practice.
Overall, NEWS SCENTRAL believes that rejecting ransom payments and emphasizing stronger security measures represent signs of the cybersecurity market’s evolution into a more mature phase -one where competitive advantage will be defined not only by technology but also by organizational resilience. Over the next 12-18 months, experts expect increased investment in proactive solutions and heightened focus on data protection at all levels of business. This approach will not only reduce financial and reputational risks but also help build long-term customer trust in an increasingly complex and dynamic digital environment.