Over 80% of attacks are financially motivated (Verizon): For the last several years, Verizon’s reports on the hacking and cybercrime landscapes have revealed the number one motivator for attacks is finances. In 2020, the number of financially motivated attacks far outweighed the number of attacks prompted by reasons like espionage. The most common figures behind hacking attacks are those in the organised crime world. Organised criminal syndicates account for around 80% of all attacks. Verizon notes only around 5% of attacks in North American organisations in 2020 were motivated by espionage, while 3% were motivated by grudges, often involving former employees.