Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) allows anyone to deploy attacks for a cut of the profits. Operators provide malware, infrastructure, and payment handling. Affiliates handle distribution and attack execution. This mirrors legitimate business structures, complete with marketing, support, and revenue sharing. It has industrialized cybercrime.
It matters because ransomware isn’t random—it’s organized. Understanding the business model helps defense strategies.
It also shows how cybercrime adapts proven business principles.
Ransomware is now a professional, global criminal enterprise.
[Europol, europol.europa.eu]