2020 was a difficult year all around. Many organisations are still adjusting to the new landscape while trying to plan for the future. According to CSIS Research, cybercrime was at its prime in 2020, with global costs climbing as high as $1 trillion. Unfortunately, the pandemic is still dragging on. There is an extremely drained remote workforce that still needs to be secured. It means there is every chance that cybercrime will be an even bigger headache in the months ahead.
Numerous aspects are aligning to create even more dangerous situations. Organisations that fail to identify and address these impending hazards will be at risk from increased cyber-attacks and data breaches. These types of imminent disaster can be averted with the right plans. By aligning security efforts with business goals, redesigning infrastructure, and looking at new technologies, organisations can build resilience while setting themselves up for future success.
Cyber-criminals are Prospering
With the pandemic triggering a swift acceleration of working from home, the potential of attacks for cybercriminals has grown immensely. People are working in less secure environments. They are increasingly distracted, and the pandemic has provided cover for an increasing number of scams. Ruthless attackers will exploit the possibility of the vaccine, and the likelihood of an economic downturn will create larger numbers of these criminals.
It has never been easier for an aspiring criminal to purchase ransomware complete with technical support. Cybercriminals are not who they used to be. Organisations are now under attack from disciplined, professional, determined factions employing increasingly sophisticated strategies.
Insider Threats are on the Rise
Social engineering tactics have made it that much more difficult for weary and overstressed remote workers. Malicious insider threats continue to be a concern. Equally, carelessness and simple human error can cause just as much damage to any organisation’s data. The increase in remote working means the line between work and home has become increasingly blurred during the pandemic.
This pressure adds to the already fragile state of many employees, which can then lead to mistakes. For example, sending an email to the wrong person, attaching the wrong file, or falling victim to what seems to be a reasonable request which can then turn out to be a scam, are all potential risks.
It is critical to be prepared for this developing threat, and organisations must continue to support remote workers and encourage a healthy separation between work and home life. They also need to set clear policies on how social media and different kinds of technologies can be used. Continuous education and rigorous security awareness training are vital.
Be Aware at all Times
Third-party cloud providers and the use of personal devices can create unforeseen difficulties for security professionals. As organisations design a new architecture, it is crucial to know what’s going on across the extended network. Organisations must review potential points of failure and build that into resilience planning and risk assessments.
Be Prepared and Plan Ahead
Securing the integrity of assets throughout an organisation isn’t just about properly configuring and integrating the right technologies. It is also about supporting your greatest asset, your people. Focusing on collaboration will earn rewards across your organisation, and business security alignment is an important aspect of success.
Build awareness internally and work collaboratively with your partners, and do not be afraid to work with their teams, who should have years of experience and expertise to share with you and your teams. Look to the future and prepare response plans that clearly define the various roles needed from all business teams.
Working together within the organisation and with your technology partners can aid in your ability to effectively respond to any new threats while also maintaining a high level of service. Creating business resilience while maintaining business goals will continue to help build confidence among customers and employees.
