Cybersecurity is more important today than ever before. Billions of devices are connected to the Internet, and every single one of them is exposed to digital risks. Every day, new vulnerabilities are discovered that must be addressed to protect personal and business data. Here are five reasons why computer security is important.
Every day, about 4000 corporations are hacked worldwide, and 42% of all cyberattacks are aimed at profiting from electronic systems and devices: corporate computer networks or employees' personal smartphones. Last year, about 25,000 computer security crimes were reported in Dubai.
The main types of cyberattacks are:
Phishing: email scams where attackers impersonate well-known companies;
Ransomware locks up your computer systems and data until the ransom is paid;
Malicious software specializes in stealing passwords and computer resources and gaining access to system management;
Of course, there are also more advanced and targeted attacks. Cybercriminals usually target medium-sized businesses and large corporations by collecting data on medical records, credit cards, social security numbers, or bank accounts.
Financial and personal data is stored in networked computer systems that permeate the entire society. Multiple Internet of Things (IoT) devices are easy targets for attackers.
https://securityintelligence.com/posts/internet-of-threats-iot-botnets-network-attacks/
On average, large businesses pay $550,000 to recover from security breaches, and for small businesses, losses reach $38,000. In 2018-19, estimates were one and a half and two times lower, respectively. The number of accessible vulnerabilities, however, increased by 356% compared to 2019. SonicWall captured over 78.4 million ransomware by June 2021.
The number of mobile attacks is estimated at more than 1.5 million in the first quarter of 2021, and this is mainly to do with attacks on banking software that sabotage payment and credentials capabilities and target funds in bank accounts.
Cyberattacks around the world are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. There are advanced types of artificial intelligence-based defenses that are very effective at analyzing threats. However, vigilant support from specialists is always needed to install updates and perform independent audits.
Unfortunately, the culture and prevention of cybersecurity are lagging behind the scale of current threats, and even qualified support does not guarantee system resiliency, as may be indicated by recent problems on the servers of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
At the same time, according to Wam, the UAE has climbed 33 positions to rank 5th in the Global Cybersecurity Index since 2020.
It is also expected that the cybersecurity market in 2025 will come to $363.05 billion, which is almost 125% more than in 2019.
https://www.comparitech.com/vpn/cybersecurity-cyber-crime-statistics-facts-trends/
Now, it is a fact of life that we cannot live a day without a computer or smartphone, and because of that, we store much more data on our devices than ever before. In connection with such an increase, the risks are exacerbated. We increasingly use public Wi-Fi networks, which makes us a target for cybercriminal attacks.
In cybersecurity, 95% of breaches are due to human factors. Cybercriminals enter a company through the weakest link, such as employees who download unauthorized Internet applications.
Of course, specialized software and hardware will help, but antivirus software and a configured firewall can also protect from abuse and classic threats. Unfortunately, such measures are powerless against a number of targeted attacks and innovative viruses.
Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important for businesses and public institutions as digitalization gains momentum and cybercrime spreads on the Internet.
Geographical distribution of mobile threats / mobile-malware-evolution-2020/101029 /
While corporate organizations have entire teams dedicated to cybersecurity, in medium-sized enterprises, these efforts are carried out by general specialists or ordinary system administrators, which is not entirely safe.
As 5G networks and a number of IoT devices are deployed, the number of violations will increase. It is worth pointing out that the Internet of Things is a delicate place for many computer crimes, due to the connection between smart objects and computer clouds or other storage media which does not always meet complex security requirements. This is especially important for businesses.
In addition to the aforementioned medical data, other relevant threats today include certificate forgery, breaches of general health protocols, lockdowns, and other measures. In addition, global isolation has tended to increase online activity, which has affected the number of computer crimes in general.
There are studies that show that after the initial outbreak of the pandemic and almost to the present day, cyberattacks "have become more common and individual cases have not even been reported."
For cybersecurity professionals, the pandemic has presented challenges beyond their usual duties. The impact of the pandemic itself and cultural issues have had a significant impact.
It's easier to foster a strong cybersecurity culture in the office, and today everyone is learning to do it remotely. According to the VMWare report, many mid-market companies have failed to implement even basic security processes like multi-factor authentication.
As companies embrace technology for the customer experience, they can discover the dangers associated with a product or service. Consumer-facing companies need to embrace new technologies to reimagine products, services, and user experiences.
But customer analytics, cloud integration, and payment initiatives also remain vulnerable. E-commerce businesses need to be assessed for application-level vulnerabilities at every stage of the software development lifecycle.
For developers working remotely, traditional security approaches like DAST or SAST are no longer effective. Intellectual property drives business innovation, competitiveness, and growth, and therefore must be protected. If your company works with customer copyright licenses, they must be reliably protected.
Today, businesses collaborate with each other and with customers to conduct transactions, store user data, manage supply chains, and share information. And the security of operations and processes is necessary, yet must be at an elevated level of quality.
Educating employees on the different types of threats remains a priority, as does implement secure technology solutions. Taken together, this is the best way to mitigate the risks of data breaches, which are costly to business and reputation, not to mention the regulatory implications.
Much can be said about the consequences of ignoring policies and standards. But in reality, you will save yourself a lot of time, money, and nerves if you think about security prevention and schedule an audit well in advance. It is generally useful to take an interest in computer security as a general education, and it seems that then many difficulties will even seem interesting.
At Techno Peak, we work with our clients to provide cybersecurity solutions in UAE tailored to their needs. We offer a wide range of services and products for your business, from data backup, network monitoring, and more. TechnoPeak will help to design and implement a comprehensive set of data protection means at an optimal budget. Our goal is to help you protect the valuable information stored on your computer systems.